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^HE STORY 



ODORE John Barry 




«A).rnN I. J. GRiFFiN 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



QODnaissai 




Glass. 
Book- 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 




CC3MMODORE BARRY 

(After Chappelle) 



The Story 



Commodore John Barry 

"Father of the American Navy" 



BY 

Martin I. J. Griffin ' 

w 
Historian of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick 
of Philadelphia 



"/ serve the country for nothing" — Barry 
" May a suitable recompense always attend your bravery "— Washincton 



PHILADELPHIA 

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Tv/c C; i'les Rece'ved 

MAR J9 1908 

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ST. PATRICKS DAY 

J90S 



Martin I. J. Griffin, 
Historiun of the Socieiv. 



Reserve '- ^ nr r s-e 



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Coi'VKitaiT 
1908 



The Story 



Commodore John Barry 

"Father of the American Navy" 

[Copyrighted] 

CHAPTER I. 

His Naval Renown — His Career in the Colonial Mercantile 
Marine Service — Appointed to the " Lexington" by the 
Continental Marine Committee — His First Cruise. 

The American Navy by its achievements has won enduring 
fame and imperishable honor. The careers of many "of its heroes 
have been narrated fully, and oft in fulsome terms. All Americans 
unite in these tributes of praise where justly due. 

JOHN BARRY has, aptly and justly, been called "The 
Father of the American Navy." His early, constant and worthy 
services in defence of our country ; his training many of those who 
became the foremost and most distinguished sons of the sea in our 
early naval annals makes the title one fitly bestowed. 

The Congress of his country having directed the erection in 
the Capital City of the Nation of a monument commemorative of 
the man and his deeds, this is a fitting time to present a brief record 
of his career and of his deeds during the Revolutionary War, which 
won the Independence of our Country, and also in the War with 
France, which maintained the integrity of the new Nation and the 
protection of its commerce. In both wars he bore a heroic part. 
At all times his services were usefL.1 and brilliant. 

" Captain John Barry may justly be considered the Father of 
our Navy," wrote Mr. Dennie in The Portfolio, July 1813, in giving 
the first biographical sketch of this distinguished naval officer. 
" The utility of whose services and the splendor of whose exploits 
entitle him to the foremost rank among our naval heroes." 



2 Barry's Naval Renown. 

Allen's Biographical Dictionary, published in 1809, declared 
he " was a patriot of integrity and unquestioned bravery." 

Frost's Naval Biography states : " Few commanders were 
employed in a greater variety of services or met the enemy under 
greater disadvantages," and yet he did not fail to acquit himself of 
his duty in a manner becoming a skillful seaman and a brave warrior. 

" His public services were not limited to any customary rule of 
professional duty, but without regard to labor, danger or excuses, 






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his devotion to his Country kept him constantly engaged in acts of 
public utility. The regard and admiration of General Washington, 
which he possessed in an em.inent degree, were among the most 
eminent fruits of his patriotic career." 

Judson's Sages and Heroes of the Revolution says : " Barry 
was noble in spirit, humane in discipline, discreet and fearless in 



Barry's Birthplace. 3 

battle, urbane in his manners, a splendid officer, a good citizen, a 
devoted Christian and a true Patriot." 

Many other quotations might be cited to show the high esteem 
in which Commodore John Barry was held as well also the im- 
portance of his services to our Country. 

A brief narration of his career will set forth the character and 
worth of these services as well as afford proof of the valor and 
fidelity of this most successful naval officer. 

John Barry was born in 1745 in the townland of Ballysampson. 
He lived his boyhood in the townland of Roostoonstown, both in 




BALLYSAMPSON 



the parish of Tacumshin, Barony of Forth, Province of Leinster in 
Ireland. The parish covers three thousand acres. It is situated 
between two townland-locked gulfs with very narrow openings — 
Lake Tacumshin and Lady's Island Lake. Possibly these lakes gave 
young Barry the inspiration for the sea, and upon both he in youth, 
we may be sure, oft pulled the oar. 

When and under what circumstances young Barry left his 
birthplace and departed from Ireland are not known. The best 
traditionary evidence justifies us in believing that leaving Ireland, 
while yet young, he went to Spanishtown in the Island of Jamaica 
and from there, when about fifteen years of age, came to Philadel- 
phia, where he found employment in the commercial fleets of 



4 



In the Colonial Marine Service. 



Samuel Meredith and of Willing & Morris, leaders in the mercantile 
life of the city. 




TACUMSHIN LOUGH 



Being but a boy, records do not attest his presence or position. 
But however lowly, we are sure that merit hovered over every 
action and proved the worth of the young navigator of the seas so 




LADY'S ISLAND LOUGH 



In the Colonial Marine Service. 5 

fully that on attaining his twenty-first year he was at once entrusted 
with the sole command of a vessel — the schooner " Barbadoes," 
sixty tons, which cleared from Philadelphia on October 2, 1766. 

The schooner he commanded was registered at the Custom 
House on September 29, 1766. It was built at Liverpool, in the 
Province of Nova Scotia and was owned by Edward Denny, of 
Philadelphia. John Barry was registered as its Captain. 

In this schooner, small in measurement and in tonnage by the 
standard of our times and yet not surpassed in either by many 
vessels in the colonial marine trade, John Barry, now a man in 
years and capabilities, continued until early in 1771 to make voyages 
to and from Bridgetown, the principal port of Barbadoes. 




BRIDGETOWN 



In May, 1771, 'he became Captain of the brig " Patty and 
Polly," sailing from St. Croix to Philadelphia. In August of that 
year we find him Captain of the schooner " Industry," of forty-five 
tons, plying to and from Virginia, making trips to New York, 
voyages to Nevis and to and from Halifax, Nova Scotia until, on 
October 9, 1772, he became Commander of the " Peggy" sailing to 
and from St. Eustatia and Montserrat until, on December 19, 1774, 
a register for the ship the " Black Prince" was issued to John 
Barry as Master. It was owned by John Nixon, whose grand- 
father, Richard, a Catholic, of Barry's own county, Wexford, 
arrived in Philadelphia in 1686. John Nixon read the Declaration 
of Independence on July 8, 1776. On December 21st Barry 



6 Appointed to the " Lexington." 

sailed to Bristol, where he arrived at the end of January, 1775. 
Later he proceeded to London, where he arrived June 7th, from 
whence he returned to Philadelphia, where he arrived October 13th, 
the very day Congress had resolved to fit out two armed cruisers, 
one of fourteen guns and one of ten guns, the first act founding a 
Continental naval force for the United Colonies. 

The Marine Committee, under the authority of this Resolve of 
the Continental Congress, purchased two vessels and named one 
the " Lexington," the other the " Reprisal." 

To the " Lexington" John Barry was commissioned Captain 
on December 7, 1775. Captain Wickes was the same day named 
Commander of the " Reprisal." 

Barry's vessel the " Black Prince," the finest vessel engaged in 
the Colonial commerce, was purchased by the Marine Committee, 
renamed the " Alfred," after Alfred the Great, the founder of the 
English Navy. To the " Alfred" John Paul Jones was appointed 
Lieutenant under Captain Salstonstall, on the same day Barry and 
Wickes were appointed Captains. 

The " Lexington" and the " Reprisal" were separate and 
independent commands under direct orders of the Marine Com- 
mittee and not subject to, nor were they part of, the fleet under 
Commodore Hopkins. Captain John Barry was thus the first Com- 
mander appointed under the direct authority of the Continental 
Congress. He was appointed to the first Continental armed cruiser 
— the " Lexington" — named after the first battle place of the Revo- 
lution. It was the first vessel fitted out under Continental authority 
by the Marine Committee and " in the nature of things was more 
readily equipped" than the " Alfred." says Cooper's History of the 
Naz'y. This was especially so as Willing & Morris, Captain Barry's 
late employers, alone had a stock of " round shot for four pound- 
ers, under their store in Penn Street and in their yard." These 
were readily available to Captain Barry of the " Lexington." 

When Barry's cruiser was ready for sea the severity of the 
weather in blocking the Delaware with ice debarred its passage to 
the Bay and out into the Ocean. In the meanwhile Barry was busily 
employed on shore duty and in assisting in preparing the fleet of 
Commodore Hopkins for its departure on February 17, 1776, on its 
expedition to the Southward. This fleet was intended for the 
protection of American vessels ofif the coast of Virginia, but it 
proceeded to the Bahama Islands. On St. Patrick's Day, 1776, Hop- 



Services in the Delaware Bay. 7 

kins sailed from New Providence bringing the Governor and others 
as hostages as well as securing military stores and ammunition. 
Washington on the same day was entering the City of Boston on 
its forced evacuation by the British. 

Meanwhile Captain John Barry was busy in constant service 
on the Delaware River and on shore, promoting the progress of 
naval affairs conducive to the formation of a navy. 

It was not, however, until March 23d that Congress ordered 
Letters of Marque to be issued and authorized public and private 
cruisers to capture British vessels or to seize or destroy supplies for 
the British naval forces. 

Captain Barry, in the " Lexington," at once proceeded down 
the Delaware. On March 29, 1.776, was off Cape May, New Jersey. 
On Sunday, the 31st, the "Lexington" went out to sea — his first 
entry upon the watery domain bearing the flag of defiance — the 
Union or Continental flag hoisted at Cambridge on January i, 1776, 
by General Washington, which he had adopted so that " our vessels 
may know one another," and so " distinguish our friends from our 
foes," as he had written Captain Barry's friend and fellow-Catholic 
of Philadelphia, Colonel Stephen Moylan, the Muster Master Gen- 
eral of his army. 

When Captain Barry proceeded to sea; the " Roebuck," British 
man-of-war, " one of His Majesty's pirates" and her tender, the 
" Edward," " put to sea" also after the " Lexington," but Barry 
was too swift and got so far away that the " Roebuck" returned 
the same evening to the Bay. 

Barry's historical and patriotic career had begun. 




■y 



ADMIRALTY SEAL AND SIGNATURE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD 



8 Barry's First Capture. 

CHAPTER II. 

Captures the " Edward" — His Prisoner Richard Dale — Im- 
portance OF THE Prize — Barry Unknown to or Ignored by 
Captain Hobson. 

The " Lexington" cruised off the coast of Virginia a week 
without meeting with the enemy. Barry had gone to sea on Sunday. 
The Sunday following, April 7, 1776, while off the " Capes of Vir- 
ginia" he " fell in with the sloop ' Edward' belonging to the ' Liver- 
pool' frigate" and " shattered her in a terrible manner," as he 
reported to the Marine Committee, after an engagement of " near 
two glasses." The " Lexington" lost two men killed and two 
wounded. The " Edward" had " several of her crew killed and 
wounded." She carried " eight guns and a number of swivels" and 
was commanded by Lieutenant Richard Boger of the " Liverpool." 
Barry brought the " shattered" captive to Philadelphia with the 
crew of twenty-five prisoners taken. 

Among the number was Richard Dale, of Virginia, who had 
been Lieutenant of a light cruiser in the service of Virginia, which 
had been captured by the " Edward." Dale was " induced to adopt 
the Royal cause" and so took service on the " Edward" and so was 
taken prisoner. 

Captain Barry induced young Dale to return to American 
allegiance and accept service under him on the " Lexington" as 
Midshipman. Dale in October, when the " Lexington" was assigned 
to Captain Johnston, became Master's Mate. He continued in the 
service of the United Colonies and rose to be a Commodore in the 
Navy under the present Constitution. He ever retained the friend- 
ship of Captain Barry, who, by his will, bequeathed to his " good 
friend, Captain Richard Dale, his gold-hilted sword as a token of 
his esteem." 

This sword had been presented to John Paul Jones by King 
Louis XVI after the memorable battle between the " Bonne Homme 
Richard" commanded by Jones and the " Serapis," as the expedi- 
tion commanded by Jones was under French auspices and direction. 
The sword " was sent by Jones' heirs to Robert Morris," the 
financier of the Revolution, "who presented it to Commodore John 
Barry, the senior officer of the present American Navy, who will 
never disgrace it," Morris wrote, March 18, 1795, to Thomas Pinck- 



Barry and the Sword of Jones. 9 

ney, the American Minister to Great Britain. Barry by his will 
bequeathed it to " my good friend Captain Richard Dale," with 
whose descendants it yet remains. It is claimed by the Morris 
family that the gift to Barry was " in trust to descend to the senior 
officer of the Navy." There is no proof of the trust nor is there 
any that Jones' heirs gave the sword of great money value to 
Morris. Morris had it. He gave it to Barry who bequeathed it to 
Dale who, two months before Barry made his will, had resigned 
from the Navy. There could have been no " trust" for Barry to 
" disregard." But it is singular that it is now possessed by those 
whose ancestor had, by Barry, been induced to return to American 
allegiance after having entered the service of the enemy. 

The " Edward," taken by Barry, was the first armed vessel 
taken under the authority of the Continental Marine Committee and 
brought to Philadelphia, the seat of Congress, and delivered to its 
Marine Committee. Previous captures off the New England coast 
by Manly and others, had been those of unarmed supply vessels 
to Quebec or Boston under authority of General Washington. The 
capture was most important. When the project had, in August, 
1775, been presented to Congress by the delegates from Rhode Island, 
by direction of its Assembly, to fit out armed cruisers, many of the 
patriots thought it of doubtful wisdom to do so against the power- 
ful British Navy. Samuel Chase, of Maryland, declared " it is the 
maddest idea in the world." 

So Barry's capture was a demonstration of the ability of the 
Colonies to contest the sea with Great Britain and to do it so 
effectively that " we captured from the British over eight hundred 
vessels and more than twelve thousand seamen, and of these more 
than one hundred were war vessels of the Royal Navy, carrying 
more than two thousand, five hundred guns, while the American 
losses were scarcely more than one-sixth those of the British," as 
Captain Richmond Pearson Hobson declared in an address on the 
Navy on Flag Day, 1901, at the Buffalo Pan-American Exposition. 
Yet he, in looking " over the range of our Naval history, saw a 
long line of majestic figures whose very names are an inspiration," 
did not, in giving the names of twenty-one of these " majestic 
figures," name Captain John Barry, the very " Father of the Navy." 
He was not mentioned as among those which " History with her 
hright and luminous pencil inscribed upon the glorious scroll." 
Captain Hobson, the heroic, is now a member of Congress from 



lo Captain Hobson and Barry. 

Alabama and ought to make reparation for his ignorance or con- 
scious ignoring of the foremost naval commander of the very Navy 
he proved himself to be a worthy representative of. He may become 
unknown or be ignored if known. 

Captain Barry had command of the first Continental cruiser, 
the " Lexington," and the last frigate, the " Alliance" — the largest 
and finest vessel in the Revolutionary Navy — had made the first 
capture under Continental authority and fought the last battle of 
the Revolution, and commanded the whole of the Navy at the close 
of the war — had been the earliest, the constant and the latest fighter 
and the first Captain and ranking officer of the present Navy on its 
establishment in 1794. Yet he was entirely unknown to Captain 
Hobson. Or was he purposely ignored? 

The capture of the " Edward" was considered of considerable 
import in patriot circles : " We begin to make some little figure 
here in the navy way," wrote John Adams, the day after the arrival 
of Barry and his prize. The Marine Committee also wrote to 
Commodore Hopkins, who had arrived at New London, Connecti- 
cut, the same day Barry had arrived at Philadelphia with his prize, 
informing him of the capture and saying the loss to the British of 
the twenty-five men was one " they cannot easily provide against — 
the want of men." 

The demonstration of satisfaction at Philadelphia because of 
Barry's success gave heart to the patriots in an endeavor to have 
an increase in the naval force. By the alertness of armed cruisers, 
protection would be given to the supplies coming to the Americans 
and at the same time captures could be made of supplies going to 
the British. 

On May i, 1776, the " Edward," condemned by the Court of 
Admiralty as a prize to the " Lexington"' was, with all her ammuni- 
tion, furniture, tackle and apparel, sold at public auction and the 
proceeds divided between the Government and Captain Barry and 
his crew. 



Barry's Operations in the Delazvare. ir 

CHAPTER III. 

Barry Appointed to Command Defensive Operations in Dela- 
ware Bay and River — Captures British Supplies and 
Protects American — Saves the Cargo of the " Nancy" 
AND Explodes Her when the British Board Her — 
Captures the " Lady Susan" and the " Betsy" — Ap- 
pointed TO THE " Effingham." 

The " Lexington" was not in a condition to then proceed on 
another expedition, as she needed fitting up. Yet Captain Barry 
was not permitted to be idle. On May 8th, Robert Morris, for the 
Marine Committee of Congress, directed him to go down the Dela- 
ware River in the sloop " Hornet," commanded by Captain Hallock, 
and to take the officers and men of the " Lexington" to supply the 
Provincial armed ship, commanded by Captain Read, the Floating 
Battery and the " Reprisal," under Captain Wickes, with men 
sufficient to have these vessels " fit for immediate action," and to 
give the " utmost exertions" of himself, officers and men in de- 
fending the pass at Fort Island so as to prevent the British coming 
to Philadelphia ; and also to take, sink or destroy such as attempted 
to do so as well as pursue those he thought it advisable to follow. 
This made Captain Barry the Commodore or ranking officer in the 
naval operations in Delaware Bay. The next day Captain Barry 
reported to Mr. Morris, urging the fitting out of the " Lexington" 
so " she might be of service. The more there is the better," said 
the Captain, though adding, " We shall keep them in play." 

So the " Lexington" was fitted out and sent down the Bay to 
Barry where the " Roebuck" and " Liverpool," British frigates, 
were " in and about." Barry joined the rest of the fleet at Cape 
May. The " Liverpool" " was scared away" when the Americans 
went " in quest of the pirates." 

At this time the thirteen vessels ordered in December to be 
built for the Marine Committee were being completed at Phila- 
delphia, Boston and Baltimore. Captain Barry was appointed to 
the command of one being built at Philadelphia — the " Effingham" 
being assigned him in October. 

All the while, however, Barry was in command of the " Lexing- 
ton" in the Delaware Bay and off the Capes, giving protection to the 
Continental supply vessels coming to Philadelphia, which had been 



12 Barry's Operations in the Delaware. 

sent out for necessaries. One arrived at Philadelphia with 7,400 
pounds of powder as well as a number of firearms. Barry also sent 
up to Philadelphia the war stores he captured. On June 12, 1776, 
the Secret Committee of Congress directed that Colonel Megraw's 
Battalion be given the 191 firearms " sent up by Captain Barry." 
She narrowly escaped capture by the " Liverpool," but two of the 
Continental vessels protected her and a French schooner. Other 
French vessels from the West Indies, bringing molasses, coffee, 
linen and other supplies were also saved from capture by Captain 
Barry and the other Continental and Provincial commanders under 
his authority. On June loth the " Kingfisher," British man-of-war, 
captured a brigantine from Wilmington, but " before the pirate 
boarded her our brave Captain Barry had been on board of her and 
taken out some powder and arms," was the report Henry Fisher, 
of Lewistown, sent the Committee of Safety by whaleboat to New 
Castle and thence by land because the Tories of the County had cut 
off all horse express communication. 

The tenders of the " Roebuck," the " Liverpool" and the " King- 
fisher" attempted to seize the cattle and stock which the Tories had 
stored for the British at Indian River, " but were prevented by' 
Barry's brig." as they called her, thus indicating that the alertness 
and success of the " brave Captain Barry" had become conspicuously 
known to the Tories of lower Delaware, a nest of Loyalists. 

The brig " Nancy" bringing supplies from St. Croix and St. 
Thomas for Congress account and having 386 barrels of gun- 
powder, 50 firelocks, loi hogsheads of rum, 62 of sugar and bales 
of dry goods, on June 29, 1776, while making for Cape May, was 
pursued by six British men-of-war but, getting assistance from 
Captain Barry's " Lexington," she was run ashore and 268 barrels 
of the powder and most of the other stores saved. Powder was, by 
Barry's order, placed in the cabin and in the mainsail, in the folds of 
which fire was put. The British boarded the brig. An explosion 
soon took. place and "blew the pirates into the air." It " was sup- 
posed forty or fifty were destroyed by the explosion." 

On July 2, 1776, the day the Resolution declared the Colonies 
free and independent, John Hancock, President of the Congress 
so declaring, notified Captain Barry that as " the frigate you are to 
command is not yet launched, her guns and anchors not yet ready," 
it was but " a piece of justice due to your merit to allow you to 
make a cruise in the " Lexington" for one or two months, in hopes 



His Prises. 



13 



that fortune may favor your industry and reward it with some good 
prizes. On this cruise Barry met that " fortune" which his industry 
merited. He captured several prizes of which record have been 
discovered. 







^^U.»*'fC' '^^^ ^J«*«^ <^/;Cc€^*^* 













SIGNATURES TO BARRY'S ORDERS 

On August 2d the *' Lady Susan," " an armed vessel, was taken 
by Captain Barry at sea," reported Csesar Rodney to his brother at 
Dover the next day. This was " a privateer of eight four-pound 
carriage guns commanded by another of those famous Goodriches 
of Virginia." She was loaded with naval stores from Bermuda. 
After an " obstinate engagement" of an hour and a half " she 
struck." Nearly all of her crew of twenty-five after their capture 
took service under Barry. 

The " Betsy," a sloop of fifty tons, commanded by Samuel 
Kerr, was also at this time captured by the " Lexington" under 
Barry. Both prizes were condemned to Captain Barry on Sep- 
tember 26th by the Court of Admiralty, but an appeal in the case of 
the " Betsy" was taken to Congress. 

The newly built " Effingham" being ready, Captain Barry 
surrendered, on October 18, 1776, the " Lexington" to Captain 
Henry Johnston and took command of the " Effingham," named in 
honor of Lord Effingham, who had resigned his commission in the 
British Army rather than take arms against the Colonies, because 
of his " strict adherence to those principles of the Revolution of 
1688," which he declared the Colonies were contending for and for 
so doing the merchants of Dublin, on July 17, 1775, approved of 
his conduct in " honestly and spiritedly resigning." and for his 
" noble efforts in support of American Liberty." 



14 Appointed to the " Effingham/' 



CHAPTER IV. 

Barry Appointed to the " Effingham" — The Question of 
Rank — Barry Engages in the Trenton Campaign — An 
Aide to Washington and to Cadwallader — Commander of 
the Port of Philadelphia — Strike of the Navy Lieu- 
tenants — Operations of Barry on the Delaware. 

A reorganization of the Navy of the United Colonies took 
place on October lo, 1776, when assignments were made of the 
several armed vessels then belonging to the " United States," as that 
was the title Congress had, on September 9th, ordered to be used 
in all public documents. The order in which these assignments 
were made was generally regarded as fixing the rank of each 
Captain. So it occasioned agitation and discussion. It was not, 
however, officially stated that such was the case. Later it was 
declared not to be so by Committee of Congress. 

Captain John Barry was assigned to No. 7 on the list. Those 
preceding him were: (i) James Nicholson, to the "Virginia," 28 
guns; (2) John Manly, to the " Hancdck," 32 guns; (3) Hector 
McNeil, to the " Boston," 24 guns; (4) Dudley Salstonstall, to the 
"Trumbull," 28 guns; (5) Nicholas Biddle, to the "Randolph," 32 
guns; (6) Thomas Thompson, to the " Raleigh," 32 guns; (7) John 
Barry, to the " Effingham," 28 guns. John Paul Jones was given 
No. 18. The Marine Committee in making up the list could hardly, 
in view of the number of guns of the several vessels and the 
selection of Captains who had not as yet served in the Navy, have 
intended the position assigned as fixing the official rank of the 
several officers. James Nicholson, the first named and to a 28-gun 
ship, had not heretofore been noted for any special services justify- 
ing his appointment as the ranking officer of the Navy, though 
giving him a vessel inferior in armament to others lower in position. 
Captain John Manly, No. 2, was " uneasy and threatened to resign." 
He had in New England waters done early and good services. 
Captain Thompson's friends declared he ought to have been placed 
higher. Yet Manly and Thompson were given 32-gun ships, while 
Captain Nicholson, No. i, was given a 28 and Captain Barry, No. 7, 
was also given a 28. Captain John Paul Jones, No. 18, ever con- 
tested the assignment to that position, declaring that " rank opens 



Ranking of the Captains. 15 

the door to glory." As late as 1781 he made contest before Com- 
mittee of Congress. It reported that though there was, " on Octo- 
ber 10, 1776, an arrangement of Captains, the Committee cannot 
fully ascertain the rule by which that arrangement was made, as 
the relative rank was not conformable to the times of appointment 
or dates of commission and seems repugnant to a resolution of 
December 22, 1775." 

Captain Barry appears not to have made any objection to his 
position on the list. He was ready and eager for service and, seem- 
ingly, not concerned as to rank or position. He had been given 
a vessel equal to Captain Nicholson, No. i. Those to whom 
stronger armament had been given had not been early or foremost 
in service or activity. Some of them did not, later, justify any out- 
ranking, if that were the case. Captain Barry was early in the 
struggle, foremost during its continuance and latest in service. 

Jones declared that some gentlemen in the first days of the 
Navy did not join the Navy as " they did not choose to be hanged, 
as the hazard was very great." But Captain John Barry did not 
hesitate. He came quickly from London to engage in the conflict, 
and from the very first day of his return to America was active in 
service and on duty. Still rank was not necessary to " open the 
door to glory," for No. 7 became the chief officer of the Navy and 
No. 18 achieved imperishable fame and popular renown. The pay 
of the Captains was sixty dollars a month. The uniform was : Blue 
cloth with red lapels, slash cufif, stand-up collar, flat yellow buttons, 
blue breeches, red waistcoat with yellow lace. 

Interested in the Navy, Captain Barry was also concerned in 
affairs on land. So when on November 25, 1776, a meeting was 
held at the Indian Queen Hotel, Philadelphia, to consider accusa- 
tions against those "suspected as Tories and unfriendly to the 
cause of America," Captain Barry was there. We may be sure he 
was earnest and active in any measures to restrict the operations 
of those inimicable to Liberty or engaged in efforts detrimental to 
the Patriots' endeavors. 

Captain Barry, on November 30, 1776, united with Captains 
Biddle, Read, Alexander and John Nicholson in a memorial to 
Congress. It was referred to the Marine Committee, who were 
directed to pursue such measures as they might think proper. What 
the memorial related to has not been discovered after long continued 
endeavor to ascertain. It is not among the papers of the Continental 



1 6 Engages in the Trenton Campaign. 

Congress nor mentioned in the records of the Marine Committee, 
which have been preserved at the Library of Congress. 

At this time affairs were serious with General Washington. 
The battle of Long Island, in August, had been disastrous. Forts 
Lee and Washington, the bulwarks of the Hudson, had been lost 
and the sad and gloomy, but marvelously strategic, retreat across 
New Jersey was being conducted by Washington, pursued by Lord 
Cornwallis. 

Washington " was at the end of the tether." " In ten days this 
army will have ceased to exist," was his almost despairing cry to 
Congress, calling for aid to strengthen his disappearing and dis- 
pirited army. Yet on the upper Delaware, amid all the encircling 
gloom, God's precious Providence and love was at no time during 
the Revolution more strikingly manifested. All seemed lost this 
bleak December, 1776. The hour of defeat, dismay and destruc- 
tion seemed about to strike. The timid, the faint-hearted, the 
treacherous were fast accepting British allegiance. Even hereto- 
fore stalwart hearts wavered in the cause of Liberty. The newly 
proclaimed Independence of hot July, the threat and defiance of the 
Colonies to England's tyranny, was now in the chill December, like 
the earth, about to be sheathed in the coldness of death. 

The alarm came to Philadelphia. Shops were shut, schools 
closed and the inhabitants engaged solely in providing for the 
defense of the City, now the aim of the enemy. But out of all this 
gloom and alarm came the victory at Trenton. 

Captain John Barry organized a company of volunteers and 
went to Washington's assistance. In cooperation with the marines 
under Captain William Brown, he lent efficient service in trans- 
porting Washington's army across the Delaware prior to the Battle 
of Trenton. Captain Barry acted as an aide to General Cad- 
walladef, and on one occasion, of which there is record, as an aide 
to Washington in the safe conduct to Philadelphia of the baggage 
of the captured Hessians and also of the surgeons and physicians 
to Princeton. 

After the Trenton campaign and its consequent successful 
results. Captain Barry returned to Philadelphia and engaged in 
naval preparations for the defense of the city. He was the Senior 
Commander of the Navy in the Port of Philadelphia. 

In July, 1777, twelve of the lieutenants of the fleet under Barry 
struck for an increase of pay and allowances. They notified 



Strike of the Lieutenants. 



17 



Captain Barry they would not act on board any vessel until their 
grievances ^evt redressed. iSarry informed the Marine Committee. 
It reported the affair to Congress, saying that such a combination 
of officers . was of the " most dangerous tendency." Whereupon 
the Congress dismissed all of the Heutenants and declared their 
commissions " void and of no effect." The offenders were declared 
incapable of holding any commission under the United States and 
recommending the several States not to employ any in offices civil 
or military. This brought the lieutenants to " acknowledge in the 
most explicit manner that the offense for which they were dismissed 
is highly reprehensible and could not be justified under any circum- 
stances or any pretence whatever, and that they were exceedingly 
sorry for the rashness which betrayed them into such behavior." 
Then the strikers were " restored to former rank and command." 




MISS ELIZABETH ADAMS BARNES 
Great-Great-Grandniece of Commodore Barry; who christened "The Barry" Boat March 22, 1902 



1 8 British Capture Philadelphia. 



CHAPTER V. 

The British Capture Philadelphia — Activity of Barry — 
Commander of Navy at Port of Philadelphia — Battle at 
Red Bank — Ordered by Washington and Navy Board to 
Sink the Vessels on the Upper Delaware — Protest^ — 
Declared He knew more about a Ship than Washington 
and the Board — Charged with Disrespect — His Defense 
TO Congress — His Brilliant Operations on the Delaware, 

The British, in 1776 having failed to reach , Philadelphia by 
the northward way through New Jersey, planned the 1777 cam- 
paigns to end with the capture from the southward by the Chesa- 
peake of the capital of " the rebels." This was in accordance with 
the plan, as we now know, of General Charles Lee, second in com- 
mand to Washington, while he was a prisoner in New York. He 
thus proved himself a traitor more despicable even than Arnold. 
His infamy did not become known until of late years. Moving 
northward from the head of the Chesapeake Bay, the British en- 
countered Washington at Brandywine and, defeating him, secured 
an entrance to Philadelphia when it pleased General Howe to enter, 
which he did on September 26th, amid the welcoming acclaim of 
the people who remained. The Patriots had generally left the city. 

On the 23d the Navy Board ordered all vessels south of Market 
Street to move down the river and all north to go up the Delaware 
to escape falling into the hands of the British. Barry's " Effing- 
ham" went down the river. 

Barry, as the Senior Commander of the Navy at the Port of 
Philadelphia, had charge of the " row gallies, batteries" and other 
vessels protecting and maintaining the chevaux de frise off Billings- 
port by sinking obstructions to prevent the passage to the city of 
any British vessels and thus effectually stopping the channel. 

The British erected a battery near the mouth of the Schuylkill 
upon which Barry's galleys fired at times but seemingly with but 
little effect, though " playing their part most nobly and acting like 
men and freemen convincing the world their liberty was merited," 
to use the words of Thomas McKean to General Rodney. 

When, on October 22, 1777, Count Donop attacked the Ameri- 
cans in Fort Mercer at Red Bank, the British fleet cooperated with 



Attack on Fort MiMin. 19 

the land forces, while the Continental vessels under Barry and the 
Pennsylvania fleet under Hazlewood drove them back, preventing 
their passage up the river. The British frigate the " Augusta" and 
the " Merlin" were driven ashore. The " Merlin" was set on fire 
by its crew. The powder on the " Augusta" exploded and that 
vessel was blown up. Portions of its remains are in the water off 
Red Bank to this day. 

Fort Mifflin, held by the Americans, was attacked on November 
16, 1777. Unable to have the assist'ance of the Continental or the 
State Navy, the fort was abandoned. A council of the com- 
manders of the fleet was held, when it was decided that an endeavor 
should be made at night to take all the vessels up the river, as the 
British fleet held control of the lower Delaware. To do this it was 
necessary to pass Philadelphia, then in possession of the British. 
This was successfully accomplished by the State fleet early in the 
morning of November i6th. They were " unperceived," says the 
British account, until the passage had been successfully made. 
The enemy were more alert the following night when the Conti- 
nental vessels under Barry endeavored to make the passage. Three 
or four succeeded. Others had to be burned to prevent capture. 
The success of this elusive passage up the river emboldened, as we 
shall see later, Captain Barry, a few months afterwards, to make 
another successful passage down the river, passing, unmolested, the 
British vessels off Philadelphia and getting down into the Bay to 
oppose the British hovering thereabouts. 

Barry's operations on the Delaware, while the British occupied 
Philadelphia, were as brilliant and as audacious in bravery as any 
services performed during his career. Doubtless from his activity, 
good judgment and bravery at this period may have proceeded all 
the successes of his subsequent career. The Continental authorities 
were made aware at once of the abilities of the gallant man whom 
they had so early in the struggle for Independence placed in com- 
mand. 

During the attack on Fort Mifflin by the British, Lieutenant 
Ford, of Barry's "Effingham," and Lieutenant Lyons, of the 
" Dickinson," deserted. After the British had evacuated Philadel- 
phia these deserters were captured and on September 2, 1778, shot. 
The execution took place on a guard-boat off Market Street. 

After the Continental and State fleets had arrived in the upper 
Delaware near Bordentown, Washington, in November, 1777, noti- 



20 Opposes the Sinking of the Vessels. 

fied the Continental Navy Board there was danger of a British 
force being sent to destroy the vessels. So he directed they should 
be sunk. Barry was, by the Board, on November 2d, directed to 
move the " Effingham" " a little below White Hill" (now Fields- 
boro, N. J.) " where she may lie on a soft bottom. You are to sink 
her there without delay by sunset this evening." But Barry was 
loath to sink the vessel he had been appointed to command and 
fight. Later in the month Francis Hopkinson, of the Navy Board, 
delivered to Captain Barry, as Senior Officer, " orders, in writing," 
to sink or burn the ships. Captains Barry and Read had taken every 
measure to defend the vessels which Barry declared he believed 
would be eflfectual in repelling any force the enemy would send to 
destroy them. 

Barry and Read protested to the Board against the sinking, 
saying that if Washington knew the security of the ships he would 
not order the sinking. Barry offered to go and inform him, but 
Hopkinson declared Washington had been informed and his order 
would be carried out. He told Barry that the order should be 
obeyed; that he would take Washington's opinion in preference to 
Barry's. 

" I told him," related Barry in his defense, when summoned 
before Congress sitting at York, for disrespect to the Navy Board, 
"that nevertheless I knew more about a ship than General Wash- 
ington and the Navy Board together. That I was commissioned by 
Congress to command the ' Effingham' and, therefore, expected to 
be consulted before she was destroyed." 

" You shall obey our orders," was the quick and somewhat 
heated reply. Whereupon Barry left him " of course in high 
dudgeon," said Barry. " I immediately repaired to my ship, got all 
clear — and the orders were punctually obeyed" — while Hopkinson 
himself was on board giving orders which did not permit the vessel 
to keel and so was " very near upsetting." When Barry reported 
the condition of the ship to the Navy Board, he was told " it was a 
misfortune and we must do the best to remedy it," to which Barry 
replied that nothing would be wanting on his part. 

Two attempts to raise the " Effingham" failed for want of 
men and material, whereupon Mr. Hopkinson said he would raise 
her himself — " an insult I overlooked, having the getting up of the 
ship much at heart." Barry told Congress. So he got everything 
ready and sent for as many of the invalid soldiers as could be had. 



Controversy with Hopkinson. 21 

and with the seamen began to heave. And he too " worked with as 
much ardor as possible." 

" Captain Barry, doth she rise," called Hopkinson. 

" No. sir ! How can she rise when you keep the people back," 
replied Barry. This was an allusion to Hopkinson's order that only 
invalids, well attired, should be sent to assist the seamen. 

" Puh ! You are always grumbling," retorted Hopkinson. 

"What do you say?" quickly cried Barry. 

" Go along and mind your own business, you scoundrel," roared 
Hopkinson. 

" It is a lie," said Barry. 

" What! "Do you tell me I lie?" said Hopkinson. 

" It was a lie in them that said so," was Barry's rejoinder. 

Hopkinson replied that he would bring Barry to an account for 
this. 

** My answer was," Barry told Congress, " Damn you ! I don't 
value you more than my duty requires." 

" Sir ! You never minded your duty," retorted Hopkinson. 

" I immediately told him he was a liar and that the Continental 
Congress knew I had minded my duty, and added that had he 
minded his duty as well the ship would not be in its present con- 
dition." 

The Navy Board, on December 11, 1777, complained to 
Congress of the " disrespect and ill treatment which Hopkinson had 
received from John Barry, commander of the frigate " Effingham." 

Barry was summoned to York, Pa., where Congress was in 
session. On January loth he attended and made defense, con- 
cluding by saying that he considered himself " unworthy the com- 
mission of Congress if he tamely put up with treatment other than 
that due to all Captains of the Navy as gentlemen." 

On February 27th the Marine Committee reported to Congress 
that " Captain Barry ought, within twenty days, make full acknowl- 
edgment to the Navy Board of having treated Mr. Hopkinson with 
indecency and disrespect." Nothing further appears on record, so 
it is presumed Captain Barry complied and the case closed. At this 
time Barry was, by order of the same Committee, actively at work 
destroying British supplies in the lower Delaware from Mantua 
Creek to Port Penn and Bombay Hook. 

Congress was equally divided on a resolution that Captain 
Barry be not, in consequence of his conduct towards Hopkinson, 



22 Battle of the Kegs. 

" employed on the expedition assigned to his conduct by the Marine 
Committee with the approbation of Congress until the further order 
of Congress." Had he not been employed, Washington might not, 
later, have been cheered by the results which Captain Barry achieved 
in " the expedition" against the British supply vessels coming up 
the Delaware. 

Washington, amid the desolation of Valley Forge, had his 
heart torn by the suffering of his Patriot soldiers who bore all, 
suffered all, hoped all, determined to brave all that their country 
should be free. From amid that distress Washington sent his 
thanks for " the good things" Barry sent to the camp. 

While the controversy with Hopkinson was being considered 
and Barry was in the upper Delaware, he projected the plan to 
attempt the destruction of some of the enemy's vessels lying off 
Philadelphia by floating down machines in form of ships' buoys 
filled with powder. These, as they floated past the city, were fired 
at by the British batteries. This event is known in history as " The 
Battle of the Kegs." 

Singularly, too, Francis Hopkinson, Barry's accuser of want 
of respect for him made the event memorable by a humorous ditty 
reflecting upon " British valor displayed." 

" The cannons roar from shore to shore, 
The small arms make a rattle; 
Since war's began, I'm sure no man 
E'er saw so strange a battle." 

The Loyalists, however, considered the battle as " a most 
astonishing instance of the activity, bravery and military skill of the 
Royal Navy of Great Britain. Oflicers and men exhibited the most 
unparalleled skill and bravery on the occasion, while the citizens 
stood as solemn witness of their prowess." 

This occurred on Monday, January 5, 1778, a day ever distin- 
guished in history for the memorable " Battle of the Kegs." 



Captures British Supplies. 23 



CHAPTER VI. 

Barry Attacks the British Supply Ships below Philadel- 
phia — Captures Three — Sends Supplies to Washington 
at Valley Forge — Thanks of Washington — Was Barry 
Offered a British Command? 

The expedition assigned to Captain Barry which he came near 
being deprived of by Congress was a cruise in the Delaware River. 
The Marine Committee, not being directed not to employ Barry, on 
January 29, 1778, directed him to fit out the pinnace and barges 
belonging to the frigates for " a cruise in said river under your 
command." He was empowered to " receive stores and employ such 
Continental Navy officers and call the number of men necessary 
for officering, manning, victualing and equipping the boats." He 
was directed to have frequent occasion to land on each side of the 
Delaware and to restrain his men from plundering or insulting the 
inhabitants. The Navy Board was directed to supply " everything 
necessary for your little fleet" and money to procure supplies. He 
was directed to inform General Washington of such stores as he 
might capture which are necessary for the use of the army. He 
was to sink or destroy the vessels which he could not remove to 
safety. His " despatch, activity, ' prudence and valor," were relied 
on to bring success. If Barry's project to destroy British shipping 
by explosive machines did not succeed, another form of endeavor 
dependent more upon skill and bravery would accomplish results 
as satisfactory as had been hoped for by the floating " score of kegs 
or more that came floating down the tide." 

The Supreme Executive Committee of Pennsylvania, then at 
Lancaster, on February 7, 1778, notified the Navy Board, then at 
Burlington, New Jersey, that " a spirit of enterprise to annoy the 
enemy in the river below Philadelphia had discovered itself in 
Captain Barry and other ofiflcers of the Continental Navy, which 
promised considerable advantage to the adventurous as well as to 
the public." 

The Council had waited to find Captain Barry's example in- 
ducing the officers and men of the State fleet to engage in the 
enterprise — of taking all they could get from the enemy, so that 
any benefit arising from the plan should accrue to those who signal- 



24 Takes Prizes in the Delaware. 

ized themselves in the time of danger. So Captain Barry during 
the night, with four rowboats with twenty-seven men, started from 
Burlington and succeeded in passing Philadelphia undiscovered 
and so unmolested by the British. Barry was acting under orders 
of General Anthony Wayne, a fellow-member of the Friendly Sons 
OF St. Patrick, who sent a detachment from Washington's army 
to aid in the enterprise. After passing Philadelphia, Barry began 
the destructive work of destroying forage. On February 26, 1778, 
he arrived off Port Penn and from there, that day, wrote General 
Washington at Valley Forge that he had " destroyed the forage 
from Mantua Creek to this place," amounting to four hundred tons. 
He would have proceeded further but " a number of the enemy's 
boats appeared and lined the Jersey shore, depriving us of the 
opportunity of proceeding on the same purpose." Barry discharged 
all but four of Washington's men, whom he kept to assist in getting 
the boats away, as his men were rendered incapable through fatigue. 

On March 7, 1778, off Bombay Hook, Barry with twenty-seven 
men in five rowboats captured the " Mermaid" and the " Kitty," 
transports from Rhode Island, laden with supplies for the British. 
He stripped the vessels and sent the supplies northward through 
New Jersey and burned the vessels. The " Alert," a British 
schooner with eight four-pounders, twelve four-pound howitzers 
and thirty-three men properly equipped for an armed vessel, came 
in sight while Barry was engaged in the encounter with the supply 
vessels. Barry sent a flag to Captain Morse, of the " Alert," 
demanding a surrender, promising that the officers would be allowed 
their private baggage, whereupon the " Alert" was " delivered up" 
to Captain Barry, who granted parole to the Captain to go to Phila- 
delphia for a fortnight. " The schooner is a most excellent vessel 
for our purpose," wrote Captain Barry to General Washington two 
days later, when sending him a " cheese and a jar of pickled oysters" 
from the store of wines and luxuries intended for General Howe's 
table. He also sent a plan of New York " which may be of service," 
which he had taken on the " Alert." 

Though a fleet of the enemy's small vessels were in sight, " I 
am determined," wrote Barry, " to hold the ' Alert' at all events ;" 
that as a number of ships with very little convoy were expected 
Barry declared that with about forty more men he could give a very 
good account of them. The next day. March 8, 1778, he reported 
to the Marine Committee the success of the expedition. On the nth 



Thanks of Washington. 25 

the Committee congratulated the " gallant commander, brave officers 
and men concerned in it throughout the whole cruise." He was 
informed that the " Alert" would be purchased for a cruiser, her 
name changed to the " Wasp," of which he was to take command 
or bestow it on some brave, active and prudent officer on a cruise 
on the coast and off Cape Henlopen, so as " to descry the enemies' 
vessels coming and going." Barry's " well-known bravery and good 
conduct" were commended. The British " frigates and small 
armed vessels," however, attacked Barry. " After a long and severe 
engagement he was obliged to ground and abandon the ' Alert,' 
though he saved her guns and most of her tackle," so Washington 
reported to Congress on March 12th. 

That day Washington wrote to Barry: 

" I have received your favor of the 9th inst. and congratulate 
you on the success that has crowned your gallantry and address in 
the late attacks on the enemy's ships. Although circumstances have 
prevented you from reaping the full benefit of your conquests, yet 
there is ample consolation in the degree of glory which you have 
acquired. 

" May a suitable recompense always attend your bravery." 

Alexander Hamilton, writing to Governor Clinton, of New 
York, from Washington's Headquarters, Valley Forge, March 12, 
1778, said: "We have nothing new in camp save that Captain 
Barry has destroyed, with a few gunboats, two large ships belong- 
ing to the enemy, laden with forage from Rhode Island. He also 
took an armed schooner which he has since been obliged to run 
ashore after a gallant defense. 'Tis said he has saved her cannon 
and stores — among the ordnance four brass howitzers." 

Barry with twenty-seven men had captured one major, two 
captains, three lieutenants, ten soldiers and one hundred seamen 
and marines — one hundred and sixteen taken by twenty-seven. He 
captured also many letters and official papers relating to the Hes- 
sians in British service, as well as the Order of Lion d'Or for Gen- 
eral Knyphausen. This was sent the Hessian general. Barry's 
success won the admiration of friend and foe. It was at this time 
Sir William Howe is said to have offered Captain Barry twenty 
thousand guineas and the command of a British frigate if he would 
•desert the service of the United Colonies. The alleged answer of 
Barry is stated to have been : " Not the value and command of the 
whole British fleet can seduce me from the cause of my country." 



26 



Was^ Barry Tempted f 



Any such offer, if made, would more probably have been made 
by Lord Howe, Commander of the British fleet, brother to General 
Howe, Commander of the Army. It is of record that he sent 
Commodore Hazlewood, of the Pennsylvania Navy, a summons to 
surrender, to which reply was made that he '* would not surrender 
but defend to the last." A like summons to Barry, Commander of 
the Continental Navy, doubtless received a similar reply, but there 
is no known evidence or authoritative record that Barry was tempted 
to desert his country. 




WASHINGTON GIVING COMMISSION TO BARRY 



Praise for Success. 27 



CHAPTER VII. 

Praise for Barry's Success — British Destroy Barry's " Effing- 
ham" AND Other Vessels on the Upper Delaware — 
Appointed to the " Raleigh" — Protects the Coast from 
North Carolina to Massachusetts — Encounter with two- 
British Frigates — Barry Runs the " Raleigh" Ashore — 
His Action Approved and His Bravery Declared, 

Barry's operations on the Delaware were of foremost import- 
ance at this period of gloom and darkness. The British were in 
possession of Philadelphia, the Capital of " the rebels." Washing- 
ton's men were suffering the distress of Valley Forge, ill-fed and 
scantily clothed. Barry was destroying forage and capturing sup- 
plies. General Wayne was operating around Philadelphia, in Penn- 
sylvania, Delaware and New Jersey in a like endeavor. 

" For boldness of design and dexterity of execution, Barry's 
operations were not surpassed, if equaled, during the war," says 
Frost's Naval Biography. 

" The gallant action reflects great honor on Captain Barry, his 
officers and crew," wrote William Ellery, one of Massachusetts* 
delegates in Congress. 

Colonel Laurens wrote his father telling of the deeds of 
Captain Barry, " to whom great praise is due." Washington re- 
ported to Congress " with great pleasure the success" of Captain 
Barry. 

Captain Barry considered the Delaware Bay " the best place 
for meeting with success where he could use his little squadron." 
On the upper Delaware where the " Effingham," " Washington"^ 
and other Continental vessels had been sunk, near Bordentown, by 
order of General Washington, in April by his orders, also, the 
Pennsylvania Navy Board, directed that the galleys, shallops and 
brigs be dismantled and sunk, shot buried and stores lodged 
throughout New Jersey. All this after " a rather stubborn in- 
sistance on the part of the officers" against so doing, just as Captain 
Barry had protested. Later in the month Barry's " Effingham," the 
" Washington" and other Continental vessels were raised " from 
the soft bottom of the river," but on May 7, ^77^, a British force, 
under Major Maitland, was sent from Philadelphia and burned 



28 Appointed to the " Raleigh." 

twenty-one or more vessels and naval stores and destroyed all 
supplies. 

At this time Captain Barry was in command of the squadron 
in the lower Delaware River and in the Bay. By the destruction of 
the " Effingham" in the upper Delaware he was without a com- 
mand other than the temporary one in which he was operating. 
Accordingly, on May 30, 1778, the Marine Committee appointed 
him to the command of the frigate " Raleigh," then in Boston 
Harbor. He was directed to " repair immediately to that place" 
to take command. He succeeded Captain Thomas Thompson, who 
was charged with having deserted the "Alfred" (Barry's old- 
time " Black Prince") in the battle with the British frigates 
" Ariadne" and " Ceres," by which the " Alfred" became captive. 

Captain Barry proceeded to Boston and, taking command of 
the " Raleigh," refitted her for service and went to sea, stopping at 
Rhode Island, where he received the orders of Marine Committee, 
on August 24, 1778, ordering him to cruise in company with the 
Continental brigantine " Resistance," Captain Burke, between Cape 
Henlopen and Occracok on the coast of North Carolina to intercept 
British armed vessels infesting that coast. On May 28th orders 
were sent to Hampton, Virginia, for delivery to Captain Barry, 
directing him to take under convoy six or more of the vessels 
loaded with commissary stores and protect them to the places of 
destination. Then he and Captain Burke were to proceed and 
protect the coast line of Virginia and North Carolina, reporting 
once a week at Hampton for orders, which he, as Senior Officer, 
should communicate to Captain Burke, and also there receive sup- 
plies furnished by the Governor of Virginia. 

Captain Barry in the " Raleigh" cruised along the coast from 
North Carolina to Massachusetts Bay. On September 8, 1778, off 
Boston Bay he reported to the Marine Committee that many of the 
guns of the " Raleigh" had burst in proving and the ship was 
" exceedingly foul" and unfit to further cruise. He was, on Sep- 
tember 28, 1778, directed to proceed to Portsmouth, Virginia, where 
there was a Continental ship-yard, and have the " Raleigh's" bottom 
cleaned. That done he was to continue " to cruise upon the coast," 
the " Deane" or any other vessel with him, Barry was to order to 
cruise while the " Raleigh" was being cleaned. 

The Committee had information that the British frigate 
*' Persius," of 32 guns was cruising singly on the coast of South 



Cruise of the " Raleigh." 29 

Carolina. Barry was then ordered as soon as his ship was cleaned 
to extend his cruising ground so as to cover the coast of that State, 
taking the " Deane" or other vessel with him in search of the 
" Persius" and endeavor to " take, burn, sink or destroy" the said 
frigate or any other of the enemy's vessels " that he might fall in 
with." If he made a capture he was to take it to Charleston and 
there fit, man her and take her on the cruise with him. 

This order, sent to Hampton, Virginia, did not reach the 
"Raleigh" as, on September 25, 1778, she had sailed from Boston 
convoying a brigantine and sloop. That day and the following, two 
British frigates were seen but avoided. The next day — Sunday — 
the frigates chased the " Raleigh" from nine in the morning until 
five in the afternoon when, nearing each other, the " Raleigh" hoisted 
her colors and the headmost frigate " hoisted St. George's ensign." 
" We gave her a broadside which she returned, tacked and came 
up on our lee quarter and gave the " Raleigh" a broadside, which 
carried away its foretopmast and mizzentop gallant mast, which, 
to " the unspeakable grief" of Captain Barry, caused him, " in a 
great measure, to lose command" of the " Raleigh," "determined 
to victory" as he was. " The enemy plied his broadsides briskly, 
which was returned as brisk," though the " Raleigh" " bore away 
to prevent the enemy from raking us." The British sheered off 
and dropped astern. During the night Barry " perceived the stern- 
most ship gaining on us very fast and, being disabled in our sails, 
masts and rigging and having no possible view of escaping. Captain 
Barry, with the advice of his officers, ran the " Raleigh" on shore to 
prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy. The engagement, 
however, continued " very warm until midnight" — a five-hours' 
contest, when the frigate sheered oflf to wait the consort. The 
" Raleigh's" mizzentopsail had * been shot away. Captain Barry 
ordered the other sails cut loose from the yards. The two frigates 
appeared and endeavored to cut the " Raleigh" " from the land." 
The headmost ship proved a two-decker of at least fifty guns. The 
" Raleigh," " not in the least daunted, received their fire, which 
was very heavy, and returned ours with redoubled vigor." 

" Encouraged by our brave commander, we were determined 
not to strike," related one of the officers. " After receiving three 
broadsides from the large ship and the fire of the other frigate on 
our lee quarter," the " Raleigh" struck the shore, when the enemy 
poured in two broadsides, which were returned. She then hove in 



30 Loss of the " Raleigh." 

stays, our guns being loaded gave us a good opportunity of raking 
her, which we did with our whole broadside. After that she bore 
away and raked us and both British frigates kept up a heavy fire 
in order to make us strike to them, which we never did. They 
ceased and came to anchor a mile distant from the " Raleigh." 

The island on which the " Raleigh" struck was uninhabited 
and being rocky could not be fortified for the defense of the ship. 
The enemy kept up an incessant fire on her and the men being 
exhausted after the long contest with the two frigates, Captain 
Barry ordered the men to land and the " Raleigh" to be set on fire. 
The eighty-five men were landed, but the treachery of Midshipman 
Jesse Jaycockt, an Englishman, who extinguished the fire, prevented 
the destruction. The other officers and men were made prisoners 
before the boats could return to take them off. 

This " unequal ^contest with two ships was fought with great 
gallantry and though Captain Barry lost his ship he gained laurels 
for himself and honor for his country. Perhaps no ship was ever 
better defended," wrote John Brown, Secretary of the Navy Board 
at Boston to the Marine Committee of Congress, adding, " Captain 
Barry's conduct is highly approved and his officers and men are 
greatly pleased with him." 

" His good conduct and bravery are universally allowed," said 
the Pennsyhania Post. 

Captain Barry " fought with his usual bravery. His officers 
and men being sworn not to surrender, our brave Captain Barry 
avoided violating his oath by running the ' Raleigh' ashore," wrote 
Colonel John Laurens to his father. 

The British frigates were the " Experiment," of 50 guns, and 
the " Unicorn," of 22 guns, or 72 guns against Barry's 32. The 
latter had ten men killed and was greatly damaged in hull and 
rigging in the contest of nine hours duration. The " Raleigh" lost 
twenty-five killed and wounded. The ship was added to the Royal 
Navy under the same name. This battle took place off Seal Island, 
or Fox Island, in Penobscot Bay. 

Cooper's History of the Navy said, " Captain Barry gained 
credit for his gallantry on this occasion." 

" A noble and daring defence," said Watson's Annals of Phila- 
delphia. 

This disaster left Barry without a ship. The loss, though 



Loss of the "Raleigh." 31 

regrettable, did not lessen his reputation as a skillful and sagacious 
commander nor mar the character he had won for bravery. 

The Marine Committee in ordering the Navy Board at Boston 
to " order a Court of Inquiry on Captain Barry's conduct," said : 
" The loss of the ' Raleigh' is certainly a very great misfortune, 
but we have a consolation in reflecting that the spirited and gallant 
behavior of her commander has done honor to our flag." 

And that it held him not censurable is shown by its statement 
that as " Captain Harding has been appointed to the command of 
the frigate at Norwich named the ' Confederacy,' which prevents 
our giving that ship to Captain Barry." 

The Committee was ready at once to give him another com- 
mand had a vessel been ready for him. That too without waiting 
the action of the Court of Inquiry, which it had ordered. But the 
Committee had soon occasion to give an appointment which showed 
the estimation in which his abilities were held as the foremost naval 
commander, worthy to be entrusted with its best commands and 
ships. 



■r-lC'^ /iUyf-yr^,,,^^^:^; .^-/H^ .tf^r-^ ^i»Z„e>».^ 







ORDER TO CAPTAIN BARRY 



32 Expedition Against Florida. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Barry Appointed to Command an Expedition Against Florida 
— Expedition Abandoned, Barry Enters the Pennsyl- 
vania Privateer Service — Makes Captures — Resists the 
Imprisonment of His Crew — " My Name is John Barry." 

That the loss of the " Raleigh" brought no discredit upon 
Captain Barry, but rather added to his reputation as a brave and 
skillful commander is attested by the action of the Marine Com- 
mittee in appointing him to command an expedition against East 
Florida. 

Major-General Lincoln was to command the Continental and 
State army forces in the reduction of St. Augustine, Florida, as it 
" was of the highest importance to the United States." 

On November lo, 1778, Congress Resolved: 

" That Captain John Barry be and is hereby directed to take 
command of all armed vessels employed in the intended expedition, 
subject to the order of the Commander-in-Chief in the Southern 
Department; and that this commission continue in force till the 
expedition of the intended invasion of the Province of East Florida 
or till the further order of Congress ; that he proceed with the 
utmost despatch to the State of Maryland in order to expedite the 
equipment of the gallies to be furnished by that State and proceed 
with them to Charleston in South Carolina." 

At Charleston armed gallies from Virginia were to be joined. 
" The success of the expedition depended in the most essential 
manner on their service." The Continental share of all property 
taken would be released to the captors. 

To prevent difference among officers of the respective States 
whose gallies would be employed. Captain John Barry was appointed 
to command the naval part of the expedition. Captain Barry " made 
some extraordinary demands upon Congress for allowance of a 
table and a secretary, which the House did not determine on," wrote 
Henry Laurens, President of Congress, to General Lincoln ; adding 
that " though Captain Barry is a brave and active seaman, the in- 
tended service is not pleasing to him, 'tis possible, therefore, he 
may wish to avoid it and besides you will find old commanders in 
the two Southern States who will be much mortified should he 
actually proceed and take the command of them, consequences will 



Barry to Command. 33 

ari^e which will be disagreeable to you and which may prove detri- 
mental to the service." 

The British probably became aware of the intended invasion 
and so organized a counter-movement against General Lincoln and 
obliged him to defend his occupancy of Charleston. General Clinton, 
on December 26, 1778, sailed from New York and a month later, 
delayed by storms, reached Savannah, the base of his operations 
against Lincoln. This obliged Congress to abandon its projected 
expedition against East Florida. So Captain Barry's " extraordi- 
nary demands" or the jealousies of the Southern naval officers were, 
by the course of events, set aside. The aggressive movement of 
Sir Henry Clinton had frustrated the intended invasion and so all 
the minor considerations involved therein. 

But the high esteem in which Barry was held was proven by 
the appointment to command the expedition and this, too, imme- 
diately after the loss of the " Raleigh." His defense of the 
" Raleigh" was so bravely performed that the appointment to the 
Southern expedition was given him as the best testimonial of worth 
and of fidelity to duty. The loss of the " Raleigh" and the abandon- 
ment of the invasion of East Florida left Captain John Barry with- 
out an available Continental ship. But such a brave and active 
seaman could not be listless nor idle while an opportunity could be 
found or made for doing service for his country. When the 
" Effingham" and other vessels were tied up in the Delaware, Cap- 
tain Barry became a landsman and did shore duty, leading a com- 
pany of volunteers in the Trenton and Princeton campaign. 

Now that his country had no ship to give him to do duty for 
America, he entered the service of his adopted State, Pennsylvania, 
and became " a' bold privateer" by becoming commander of the 
Letter-of-Marque, the brig " Delaware," owned by Irwin & Co., of 
Philadelphia. His commission bears date of February 15, 1779. 
It is in the Lenox Library, New York. 

The " Delaware" was a new brig of 200 tons, built to replace 
the schooner of the same name, which had been driven on the 
New Jersey shore and set on fire to escape the British early on 
the morning of November 21, 1777, when the State's Navy had 
passed up the Delaware River after the attack on Fort Mifflin. 

The new " Delaware" carried ten guns and forty-five men 
when commissioned, but Captain Barry increased the force to 
twelve guns and sixty men. 



34 Enters the Privateer Service. 

The day he was commissioned he stood sponsor and his wife a 
witness to the baptism of Anna, daughter of Thomas, his brother, 
born on that morning. On July 21st following, Captain Barry's 
wife, Sarah, Austin Barry, became a Catholic and was baptised, con- 
ditionally, Anna Barry, wife of Thomas, being the only sponsor. 
At this time Captain Barry was cruising in the West Indies. 
Judith, " the slave of Captain John Barry," an adult, was also 
baptised on August 19, 1779. 

In the " Delaware" Captain Barry made two cruises to Port-au- 
Prince. Of his first voyage no record has been discovered, but of 
his second there is sufficient in the account given by his Mate, 
John Kessler. The " Delaware" sailed on its second cruise in the 
fall of 1779 in company with three other Letter-of-Marque brigs 
and one schooner. Of this fleet Captain Barry was made Commo- 
dore. He was always so appointed whenever two or more vessels 
were assigned to one cruise or expedition in which he engaged. 
When abreast of Cape Henlopen the British sloop-of-war the 
"^^ Harlem," with eighty-five men and fourteen four-pounders, was 
taken without resistance, though the officers escaped in boats after 
heaving overboard all the guns. 

The " Harlem" was sent to Philadelphia. The crew was 
delivered to the militia at Chincopague. Captain Barry reported 
to the owners that " the commanders in our little fleet are very 
complaisant and obliging to each other." That the " Harlem" had 
fourteen four-pounders and eighty-five men. The guns and other 
things were thrown overboard without firing a shot. The Captain, 
with ten men. went off in a whale-boat, " but," reported Captain 
Barry, " we have reason to think, is since overset." The prisoners 
were taken out, a prize crew put on board, the " Harlem" sent to 
Philadelphia and the men landed at Sinipaxan, Virginia, as they 
were too many to keep with safety on board the little fleet. " We 
have every reason in the world to think we shall catch more before 
long," reported Barry. The " Harlem" was " a fine vessel and had 
been a cruiser since the enemy took New York, but at present she is 
much out of tune," he added. 

Of the rest of the voyage out and home nothing specially note- 
worthy occurred except that a merchant ship from Liverpool was 
captured and later retaken by the noted Goodrich and carried into 
Bermuda. 



Attempt to Impress His Men. 35 

During the war there was often contention between the com- 
manders of the Continental and those of the States' service. The 
Continentals, when in need of men, often impressed the seamen of 
the States' fleet and also those of merchant vessels. On Captain 
Barry's return to the Delaware River the Continental frigate " Con- 
federacy" lay at Chester. She had been impressing the crews of 
merchant vessels coming up the river. The pilot gave this informa- 
tion to the crew of the " Delaware." It alarmed them very much 
and many desired to be put on shore. Captain Barry addressed 
them saying, " My lads, if you have the spirit of freemen you will 
not desire to go ashore nor tamely submit against your wills to be 
taken away, although all the force of all the frigate's boats' crew 
were to attempt to exercise such a species of tyranny." This 
address, records Kessler, satisfied them, as it implied his consent 
to their defending themselves. They resolved to do it at all hazards, 
and for that purpose put themselves under the command and direc- 
tion of the boatswain and armed themselves with muskets, pistols 
and boarding pikes, and thus arrived within hailing distance of the 
" Confederacy." Her commander ordered the brig's maintopsail 
to be hove to the mast. Captain Barry answered that he could not 
without getting his vessel ashore. The commander of the frigate 
then ordered that the brig should come to anchor. 

Captain Barry gave no answer but continued on his way, beat- 
ing up with tide and flood and wind, when a gun was fired from the 
frigate and a boat, manned, left her and came towards the " Dela- 
ware." Captain Barry directed that the officers of the boat should be 
admitted on board, but as to the men with them, the " Delaware's" 
crew could do as they pleased. The boat soon arrived and two 
officers, armed, jumped on board and on the quarterdeck, ordering 
the maintopsail halyards to be cast off, which, however, was not 
done. Captain Barry asked whether they were sent to take com- 
mand of his vessel. The boat's crew were about coming on board 
when the " Delaware's" men threatened instant death to all who 
came on board. 

The officers after trying to intimidate our boatswain by pre- 
senting their pistols at him, and finding it of no avail, hastily sprang 
into their boats and left. 

Another gun was fired from the " Confederacy." Captain Barry 
ordered the guns cleared and declared that if a rope-yard was 
injured he would give the " Confederacy" a whole broadside. A 



36 " My Name is John Barry." 

third gun was fired. Captain Barry hailed and asked the name of 
the commander of the frigate. 

The answer was " Lieutenant Gregory.'" 

Captain Barry addressed him : " Lieutenant Gregory, I advise 
you to desist from firing. This is the brig ' Delaware,' belonging to 
Philadelphia and my name is John Barry." 

" Nothing further was said or done by Lieutenant Gregory," 
recorded Mate Kessler, who added : " Our whole crew arrived at 
Philadelphia, but the other vessels of our fleet were obliged to 
anchor, as the pressing of those who did not get on shore obliged 
them to remain until assistance was sent from Philadelphia. After 
our arrival Barry left the command of the brig, he having been 
ordered to take charge of a Continental 74-gun ship then build- 
ing in the State of New Hampshire," relates Kessler. James Collins, 
First Lieutenant, became Captain Barry's successor in command 
of the " Delaware," which had taken two prizes, the distribution 
of which was made among the officers and crew, Kessler receiving 
" in the threefold capacity of clerk, steward and captain of marines." 



Appointed to the "America." 37 



CHAPTER IX. 

Captain Barry Appointed to Superintend the Building of the 
"America," Frigate — Given Command of the "Alliance" 
AS Successor of Landais, the Frenchman — The Discovery 
OF Arnold's Treason — " Whom can we trust now ?" — The 
Answer to Arnold. 

The Continental 74 to which Captain Barry was sent imme- 
diately on his arrival at Philadelphia in the " Delaware" was the 
frigate " America," then building at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
To this command he was appointed on November 6, 1779, by the 
Marine Committee of Congress, which that day notified the Navy 
Board at Boston that Captain Barry on his way to Portsmouth, New 
Hampshire, where he goes to hasten the building and fitting out of 
the new ship on th6 stocks at that place, would present the notifica- 
tion desiring the Committee to " push forward with all possible 
expedition" the work Captain Barry had been entrusted with. 
Barry's orders were " to hasten as much as may be in your power 
the completing of that ship, which we are desirous of having done 
with all despatch." 

On November 20th, as desired by Captain Barry, Captain 
George Jerry Osborne was appointed to command the marines of 
the ship, but as it would be " a considerable time before there is 
occasion to raise the men," he was appointed " on the principle of 
his being useful in doing matters relative to the ship until that 
time." How long Captain Barry continued to superintend the 
building of the new Continental ship — later named the " America," 
does not appear, but on June i, 1780, there is record in the 
Pennsylvania Archives [Vol. I, 5th Series] that Captain John 
Barry became the commander of the Pennsylvania privateer, the 
" American," of 14 guns and 70 men. Possibly the work of directing 
the construction of a vessel was not congenial to the active spirit 
of one who was at his best amid the more earnest exertions required 
by a life at sea, seeking the destruction or capture of the armed 
vessels of the enemy. So again he became a privateersman in the 
service of his State. He so served three months. 

On June 26, 1781, Captain John Paul Jones was appointed, 
in succession to Barry, to superintend the construction of the 



38 Appointed to the "Alliance." 

" America," while Barry was doing service at sea in command of 
the " Alliance." The expense of lamiching and equipping the 
" America" was paid from the shares of the United States " in the 
prizes taken by Captain Barry" in the first cruise of the " Alliance" 
under his command. The Board of Admiralty were directed to 
assign these shares to Robert Morris by Resolution of Congress, 
June 3, 1781. The "America" when launched in November, 1781, 
was presented to France to replace the " Magnifique," wrecked in 
Boston Harbor. 

The Continental Marine Committee, knowing well Barry's 
worth, on September 5, 1780, appointed him " to the command of 
the Continental frigate ' Alliance' now in the port of Boston." He 
was " directed to repair there as soon as possible to get the ship 
ready for sea with all possible despatch." The " Alliance" was the 
largest and finest vessel of the Continental Navy. 

Thus we see again that the best available position was always 
given to Captain Barry. The first armed cruiser under direct Con- 
tinental authority — the " Lexington" — was given him, then the 
" Effingham," of 32 guns, the largest armament of any vessel, was 
assigned him, and he was made Senior Commander of the Port of 
Philadelphia. On its destruction by the British, while he was 
operating in the lower Delaware, he was appointed to the " Raleigh." 
On its loss, for which Captain Barry suffered no detriment, he was 
made commander of the projected expedition to Florida. When 
that enterprise was abandoned he was given command of a fleet of 
the Navy of Pennsylvania. At the termination of the cruise the 
appointment to construct the best vessel the country had projected 
was given him. Then he was commissioned to the " Alliance," the 
best and finest vessel the United Colonies ever possessed. In that 
he remained as commander while the war continued, and at its close 
he was Commodore of all armed vessels remaining in the service of 
the Colonies, just as Washington was Commander-in-Chief of all 
the forces, military and naval, at the end of the war. As commander 
of the fleet, Barry was second to Washington. 

The " Alliance," which Captain Barry took charge of in Sep- 
tember, 1780, was so named in honor of the alliance with France. 
As a further compliment to the French, Captain Pierre Landais, a 
Frenchman, had been appointed Captain. He was relieved of the 
command and Captain Barry succeeded him. These were the only 
commanders the " Alliance" ever had — Landais the Frenchman and 



The Frigate " Alliance." 39 

Barry the Irishman. Landais is buried in St. Patrick's cemetery, 
New York; Barry in St. Mary's, Philadelphia. One in faith and 
one in endeavor for our country. 

The " Alliance" was the only American vessel in the expedition 
sent out by King Louis XVI, under John Paul Jones, which 
resulted in the ever memorable encounter with, and capture of, 
the " Serapis" by the " Bonne Homme Richard," commanded by 
Captain John Paul Jones. During the battle the " Alliance" twice 
fired into Jones' vessel and did damage. For this, on arrival in 
France, he was called on to make explanations and John Paul Jones, 
as Commodore of all American vessels in Europe, was appointed by 
Commissioner Benjamin Franklin, on June 16, 1780, to take " com- 
mand of the ' Alliance' in her present intended voyage to America." 
But Silas Deane supported Landais, who ordered Jones off the 
vessel and set sail for America. On the voyage, his mental faculties 
becoming more erratic, the officers took the command from him 
and entrusted it to Lieutenant James Degges. 

On arrival at Boston, Captain Barry was appointed to the 
command and the Courts of Inquiry and Courts-Martial tried 
Landais and dismissed him from the service. He died in New York 
in 181 8 and is buried in St. Patrick's graveyard. 

Captain Barry now commanded " the most perfect piece of 
naval architecture" than which the navies of France or England 
had none more complete. Landais and Barry were the only duly 
commissioned and regularly appointed by Continental authority 
commanders of the " Alliance," who at sea, on voyage or in battle 
ever directed her operations, yet a block of timber of the " Alliance" 
exhibited in the Revolutionary Relic Museum at Independence Hall 
is inscribed : " Commanded by John Paul Jones during the Revolu- 
tionary War." 

There is no mention of its chief commander, John Barry, and 
that ignoring of his right to recognition is within sight of his 
statue erected by The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, of Philadel- 
phia, March 16, 1907. Let that Society now secure the Commo- 
dore's right to the command -his country gave him. 

The appointment of Captain Barry had special significance at 
the time it was made — after the discovery of the treason of Benedict 
Arnold. He had issued on October 7, 1780, an " Address to the 
Soldiers of the American Army," in which he declared he thought 
" it infinitely wiser and safer to cast his confidence upon Great 



40 The Treason of Arnold. 

Britain's justice and generosity than to trust a monarchy too feeble 
to establish your Independence, so perilous to her distant dominions 
and the enemy of the Protestant faith." 

Washington, in almost faint-hearted despair on the discovery 
of Arnold's treachery, had asked : " Whom can we trust now ?" 
Was the answer to Washington and Arnold that made by the 
Marine Committee of the Continental Congress by the appointment 
of Captain John Barry to the largest, finest and best American war- 
vessel named in honor of an alliance with France, the alleged 
" enemy of the Protestant faith," as Arnold had declared ? 

Was that the answer to Arnold by the Congress whom he had 
denounced " as mean and profligate" and " praying a soul out of 
purgatory," because the members had attended the Requiem service 
in St. Mary's Church. Philadelphia, in behalf of the soul of Don 
Juan de Miralles, the Spanish Agent to the Congress, and in the 
very church which Captain Barry attended when in Philadelphia. 

The Irish-born Catholic, John Barry, could be trusted with the 
very best when the native-born Protestant, Arnold, had betrayed the 
country for pelf and position among the oppressors of the native 
land of John Barry and the native land of the infamous Benedict 
Arnold. 

What more could the adopted land of John Barry do for one 
who had been so faithful and so helpful from the first day of oppor- 
tunity to serve her ? It will erect a monument at the Capital of the 
Nation for America as Ireland's Sons of St. Patrick have erected 
one at Independence Hall. His new country had given him the 
first, and at all times the best, she had to bestow, as his native land 
had given to America. Place of birth nor creed of faith made no 
disparagement of such superior worth as John Barry possessed. 

The Congress that had, to the people of Great Britain, de- 
nounced Barry's religion as '' one fraught with impiety, bloodshed, 
rapine and murder in every part of the globe," had given to the 
Irish-born Catholic who gave the best he possessed in talent, ability 
and service to the cause of America, had also given him the first of 
iher war vessels, continued to give him the best she, too, possessed 
and, finally, while the native-born traitor almost paralyzed the 
hearts of the patriots, gave to the foreign-born and staunch Catholic, 
the foremost vessel in her navy, one " so swift, so warlike, stout and 
strong," as to be the admiration of Europe's most expert naval 
commanders, while America had dismissed from her service, as 



The Answer to Arnold. 41 

incompetent, the native-born Esek Hopkins, the first Commander-in- 
Chief of the Navy of the Colony. It is somewhat singular, there- 
fore, that the foremost naval commanders of the Navy during the 
Revolutionary War were John Barry, of Ireland, and John Paul 
Jones, of Scotland — " foreigners," as John Adams spoke of both 
in 1813. 

The lines of the Poet of the Revolution, Philip Freneau, may 
most appropriately be inserted here, to show the regard in which 
the vessel was held while John Barry was its commander: 

" When she unfurls her flowing sails, 
Undaunted by the fiercest gales. 
In dreadful pomp she plows the main. 
While adverse tempests rage in vain. 
When she displays her gloomy tier, 
The boldest Britons freeze with fear. 
And, owning her superior might. 
Seek their best safety in their flight. 
But when she pours the dreadful blaze 
And thunder from her cannon plays. 
The bursting flash that wings the ball. 
Compels those foes to strike or fall." 

" She was in many engagements and always victorious — a for- 
tunate ship — a remarkably fast sailer — could always choose her com- 
bat — could either fight or run away — always beating her adversary 
by fight or flight," Philadelphia's annalist, Watson, made that record 
of her. 

Such was the vessel commanded by Captain John Barry, the 
Wexford boy, in the Closing and eventful year of the Revolution, 
which established our country's Independence and Liberty, to 
become the home of countless thousands of all lands who might 
•enjoy the Liberties John Barry had so conspicuously aided in 
winning. 



42 Takes Colonel Laurens to France. 



CHAPTER X. 

The " Alliance" Sails for France — Captures a British 
Cruiser — Return to America — The Loss of the " La Fay- 
ette" — Mutiny, 

The selection of John Barry, at this crisis in our country's 
struggle for Liberty and Independence, to the command of the 
foremost ship of the new Republic is a most conspicuous and honor- 
able testimony to his merits, abilities and services. None additional 
is needed. 

The " Alliance" was selected to convey Colonel John Laurens 
as a special Commissioner to France to seek " an immediate, ample 
and efficacious succor in money, large enough to be a foundation for 
substantial arrangement of finance, to revive public credit and give 
vigor to future operations." 

There was delay in sailing owing to a shortness of crew and 
the inability to procure recruits. In the meantime Captain Barry 
was, on November lo, 1780, appointed, by the Navy Board of the 
Eastern Department, President of a Court-Martial, together with 
Captains Hoystead Hucker, Samuel Nicholson and Henry Johnson, 
Lieutenants Silas Devol. Patrick Fletcher, Nicholas E. Gardner and 
Samuel Pritchard, Lieutenant of Marine, to meet on November 21st 
to try Lieutenant James Degges to determine whether he was justi- 
fied in revolting against the authority of Captain Landais of the 
" Alliance" and usurping command on the voyage from France. 
A Court-Martial was also held for the trial of Captain Landais, and 
he was dismissed the service. There is much interesting history 
connected with these trials, but they do not properly enter into this 
recital further than to say that Captain Landais' erratic conduct in 
command of the " Alliance" was due to mental deficiencies as was 
afterwards generally acknowledged. These became so manifest in 
the voyage to America that the officers took the command from 
him. 

On February 2, 1781, so impatient at the delay had become 
Colonel Laurens that, as all other resources had failed, he applied 
to General Benjamin Lincoln to allow recruits for the army fitted 
for marine service to be engaged and nowhere so advantageously 
employed. 

Patrick Sheridan, an enlisted soldier of Boston, is one known 



Captures the " Alert." 43 

to have been given leave to join the " AlHance." On February 11, 
1781, the " Alhance" sailed from Boston with Colonel Laurens, 
Thomas Paine, Comte de Noailles, brother-in-law of Lafayette and 
other celebrities. On the way to France the " Alliance" captured, 
on March 4th, the British cruiser " Alert," which had possession of 
the " La Buonia Compagnia," a Venetian ship which, " contrary to 
the Laws of Nations and every principle of justice" had been seized 
by the British cruiser called the " Alert" from Glasgow. Francis 
Russell commander, by whom the Venetian crew were put in irons 
and otherwise cruelly treated. 

Captain Barry released the Venetian " out of respect for the 
Laws of Nations and the rights of neutrality." Colonel Laurens in 
reporting to Congress, from L'Orient, March 11, 1781, where the 
"Alliance" had arrived two days before, related the action of Captain 
Barry, whereupon on June 26th it was resolved that Congress 
approve of Captain Barry's conduct in releasing the ship belonging 
to the Republic of Venice, retaken by him from a British privateer 
on March 4th last, it being the determination always to pay the 
utmost respect to the rights of neutral commerce. The Venetian 
Senate also expressed to Franklin, our Ambassador at Paris, through 
the Ambassador of Venice, their " grateful sense of the friendly 
behavior of Captain Barry, commander of the ' Alliance,' in rescu- 
ing one of the ships of their State from an English privateer and 
setting her at liberty." 

It may be remarked as a singular circumstance that the " Alert" 
was, probably, the cruiser which, on September 10, 1777, had cap- 
tured Barry's first command, the " Lexington," which was then 
commanded by Captain Henry Johnson and which Barry had, in 
March, 1778, captured in the Delaware Bay, but which was retaken 
by the British a few days later and which, on September 17, 1778, 
captured the American cruiser " La Fayette." If so, Captain Barry's 
gratification must have been great in again capturing the " Alert." 

The importance of Captain Barry's services in this voyage must 
be noted. He succeeded in conveying to France Colonel Laurens, 
whose father had been sent on a similar mission, but had been 
taken prisoner while on the way, and at the time of his son's going 
on the same mission was a prisoner in the Tower at London. 
Captain Barry's responsibility was, therefore, great. Skill and 
acuteness were most essential to avoid encounter with a superior 
British force and thus endanger the safety of the special Com- 



44 Laurens' Mission. 

missioner charged with so important a duty at this " infinitely 
critical posture of our affairs," as Washington wrote Franklin. 

To promptly and safely convey Colonel Laurens was more 
important to the general good than for Barry to make captures and 
prizes. Yet he not only performed the duty assigned him, but took 
two prizes from the enemy — its " Alert" and its own prize, the 
Venetian ship, restoring it to its country. 

Barry's captures were, in notable cases, double captives, taking 
two in each encounter. On the Delaware Bay expedition he had 
taken the " Mermaid" and the " Kitty," which he held and the 
" Alert" which was retaken. Now we find him taking that " Alert" 
and its prize. These double captures we shall, later, see repeated — 
taking two prizes in one battle — killing two birds with one stone, 
as it were. And it took two British cruisers to inflict the only loss 
he ever had — the loss of the " Raleigh." 

Captain Barry took the " Alert" to L'Orient, where the crew 
were imprisoned. Laurens secured from France a gift of six 
millions from the King — as well as clothing and military stores. 
It was sent in the '' Resolute" which sailed from Brest, June i, 1781, 
and arrived at Boston August 25th. It was this money which 
moved Washington's army to Yorktown, Virginia, by paying the 
army one month's pay in specie and enabling supplies to be fur- 
nished. Congress had no credit to get money or supplies until the 
arrival of the French funds. Other portions of the money were 
used to pay overdue French loans. That was our hard-pressed 
country's method of paying its debts. 

The importance of the duty assigned Captain Barry to get 
Colonel Laurens to France is thus made manifest. Well performed, 
its results brought the downfall of British supremacy in America. 
Failure to safely convey Laurens would have brought untold 
disaster upon the cause of Independence and Liberty and, mayhap, 
long have delayed the winning and the triumph. 

On March 23, 1781, Captain Barry, after obtaining supplies 
needed, was assigned the Letter-of-Marque vessel " Marquis de 
La Fayette," commanded by Captain Gallatheau, which was loaded 
with stores for Congress, and directed that, as he was about to 
return to America, that the " La Fayette" would proceed under his 
convoy to Philadelphia. On March 29th the " Alliance" and 
" La Fayette" sailed from L'Orient in company. 

When the'" Alliance" left L'Orient on her returning cruise to 



Loss of the " La Fayette." 45 

America, Captain Barry, by orders of Franklin, directed Captain 
Gallatheau, of the ship " Marquis La Fayette," to proceed to the 
United States under convoy of the "Alliance," as the vessel was 
laden with one hundred tons of saltpetre, twenty-six iron eighteen- 
pounders, fifteen thousand gunbarrels, leather, uniforms for ten 
thousand men and cloth for five or six thousand. After being 
under convoy for three weeks in a gale of wind which split the sails 
of the " Alliance," the " La Fayette" disappeared. Captain Barry 
gave signals by flags and guns and cruised about for two days in 
search of the missing vessel. Five days after the separation the 
" Suffolk," British man-of-war, of 74 guns, met the " La Fayette" 
and after three hours' battle made her captive though reduced to 
" a perfect hulk." For thirteen days she was towed by the 
" Suffolk." 

Investigation made by Congress into the cause of this great 
loss showed, by the evidence of Captain Robeson, on board the " La 
Fayette," that the separation was the fault of Captain Gallatheau 
by sailing away from the " Alliance" contrary to every argument of 
Captain Robeson. The loss aggregated four hundred and fifty tons 
of public stores and two hundred men, besides the armament of 
twenty-six eighteen-pound guns and fourteen six-pounders. 

On March 30th a mutiny plot was discovered among the crew 
of the " Alliance." It is best related in the words of Kessler, Barry's 
friend and officer: 

" An Indian, one of the forecastle men, gave Captain Barry 
information of a combination among the crew for the purpose of 
taking the ship, and pointed out three who had striven to prevail on 
him to be concerned therein. The three men were immediately put 
in irons and all the officers, with such of the crew as could be con- 
fided in, were armed and required to remain all night on deck. 
On the next morning all hands were called and placed on the fore- 
castle, booms and gangways, excepting the officers and such part 
of the crew in whom Captain Barry confided, who, armed strongly, 
guarded the quarterdeck, the steerage and the main deck to keep 
the remainder of the crew together on the forecastle and boom. The 
three designated men were brought out of their irons on the quarter- 
deck, and being stripped and hoisted by the thumbs to the mizzen- 
stay, underwent a very severe whipping before either would make 
any confession. As their accomplices were disclosed they were 
called to the quarter-deck, stripped and tied to the ridge-rope of 



46 Mutiny. 

the netting and the whipping continued until it was thought all was 
disclosed that could possibly be obtained, which proved to be: that 
it was intended to take the ship on her passage out by killing all the 
officers in the middle of the watch of the night, except Lieutenant 
Patrick Fletcher who was to navigate her to some port in Ireland, 
or, on failure, to be destroyed. A quartermaster, one of the 
mutineers, was to have command. They all had been bound by an 
oath on the Bible, administered by the Captain's assistant cabin 
steward, and had also signed their names in a round-robin, so- 
called, but that they found no opportunity on the outward passage 
and intended to accomplish taking of the ship as aforesaid imme- 
diately on leaving France. But on coming out of L'Orient we lost 
a man overboard who was one of the chief ring-leaders, and they, 
considering that as a bad omen, threw the round-robin overboard 
and relinquished their designs. The three principals were placed 
securely in irons and the remainder, after being admonished by 
Captain Barry, and on their solemn declaration to conduct them- 
selves well, were permitted to return to ship's duty. This mutiny 
was discovered Sunday, March 31, 1781." 

On April 2d two British armed cruisers were seen at seven in 
the morning. The " Alliance" gave chase and the two Britishers 
" stood for" the " AlHance.'" They neared each other at ten o'clock 
when the two gave the " Alliance" a broadside, which was " re- 
turned double-fold" so effectively that one struck her flag and 
hove to. She was the " Mars," of twenty twelve-pounders, two 
sixes and twelve four-pounders and one hundred and eleven men. 
The other ran while the " Alliance" " fired a number of bow chasers 
at her" and in an hour hove to and surrendered. She was the 
" Minerva," mounting eight four-pounders and fifty-five men. The 
" Alliance" received " considerable damage" from the shot of the 
enemy. Lieutenant Fletcher and fourteen men were placed in 
charge of the " Minerva" as a prize crew. Here again in one battle 
Captain Barry captures two of the enemy's cruisers. The 
" Alliance" continued the cruise and went to the West India waters 
seeking prizes. 

On May 2d a brig and a snow (a small vessel) loaded with 
sugar from Jamaica for London were captured and being manned 
from the " AlHance" was ordered to Boston. Again two captures. 
Later in the day a fleet of sixty-five sail, convoyed by ten sail of 
line, were observed but prudently not molested by Captain Barry. 



The " Atalanta" and the " Trepassy." 47 

Later in the day a brig from Jamaica bound to Bristol, England. 
We " gave the brig two bow guns at meridian," notes the log of the 
" Alliance." She surrendered. " Sent our boats, on board and took 
the prisoners out." The next day another vessel, with seven four- 
pounders also from Jamaica to Bristol, was taken and the prisoners 
brought on board the " Alliance." 

Not until May 28th was there another opportunity found, when 
early on that morning an armed ship and a brig were discovered 
about a league distant. At sunrise they hoisted the English colors 
and beat drums. At the same time Captain Barry displayed the 
American colors. By eleven o'clock Captain Barry hailed the ship 
and was answered that she was the " Atalanta" ship-of-war belong- 
ing to His Britannic Majesty, commanded by Captain Sampson 
Edwards. Captain Barry then told Captain Edwards that he, John 
Barry, commanded the Continental frigate the " Alliance" and 
advised him to haul down the English colors. 

Captain Edwards replied, " Thank you, Sir. Perhaps I may 
after a trial." 

The firing then began. The " Alliance" had not wind enough 
for steerage way. The enemy being lighter vessels, by using sweeps, 
got and kept athwart the stern of the " Alliance" so that she could- 
not bring half her guns to bear upon them, and often but one gun 
out astern to bear on the two — thus lying like a log the greater 
part of the time. Captain Barry received a wound in the shoulder 
from a grape shot. He remained on the quarter-deck until ex- 
hausted by loss of blood, when he was helped to the cock-pit for 
treatment. Soon the colors of the " Alliance" were shot away. This 
caused the enemy to believe the Americans had struck their colors. 
They gave three cheers and manned their shrouds expecting a 
surrender. But the colors of the " Alliance" were again run up — 
a breeze sprung up — a broadside was given the " Atalanta" and 
another given the " Trepassy," the brig. They then struck their 
colors to the " Alliance." Captain Smith, of the " Trepassy," was 
killed. The Captain of the " Atalanta" 'was brought on board and 
taken to Captain Barry, wounded in his cabin. Captain Edwards 
advanced and presented his sword. Captain Barry received it but 
at once returned it, saying: 

" I return it to you, Sir. You have merited it. Your King 
ought to give you a better ship. Here is my cabin at your service. 
Use it as your own." 



48 " / will be Brought on Deck." 

He then ordered Lieutenant King, of the " Trepassy" brig tO' 
be brought to him. The crew of the " Atalanta" and the prisoners 
Barry had on the " AHiance," numbering 250, should all be put on 
the " Trepassy," her cannon thrown overboard, and she sent to Hali- 
fax as a cartel for the exchange of American prisoners, while the 
Captain and Lieutenant remained as hostages. The " Atalanta" was 
retaken by the " Charlestown" and " Vulture." On account of 
Captain Barry's wound, the " Alliance" made all sail for Boston. 
Kessler relates that when Captain Barry had been carried to his 
cabin to have his wounds dressed, the Lieutenant later went to him 
and reporting that the " Alliance" was very much damaged, many 
men killed and wounded and of the disadvantages for want of 
wind, asked " Shall the colors be struck?" 

Captain Barry passionately answered : " No, Sir, and if the 
ship cannot be fought without me, I will be brought on deck." 
The officer immediately returned to deck. Captain Barry, after 
being dressed in haste, was on his way to the deck when the enemy 
struck. The " Alliance" lost eleven killed and twenty-four wounded. 
From her crew of two hundred and eighty — three prize crews had 
been taken — fifty were on the sick list. A few of these were able 
to sit between decks and hand powder to the magazine. There 
were more than one hundred prisoners on board, as well as those 
of the crew of a mutinous disposition. Add to all this disadvantage 
the total calm prevailing until near the end of the contest, the 
capture of the two British vessels was one of special noteworthy 
importance. " It was considered a most brilliant exploit and an 
unequivocal evidence of the unconquerable firmness and intrepidity 
of the victor," says Frost's Naval Biography. Here again we find 
Captain Barry adding to his record of capturing two prizes in one 
action. 

The " Alliance" continued cruising, searching for other prey, 
but not meeting any, made for Boston, where she arrived June 6, 
1781. Captain Barry's wound was yet in a dangerous condition. 
So he sent Kessler to Philadelphia to bring on Mrs. Barry. The 
" Alliance" being much shattered in her masts, sails and rigging, 
a thorough overhauling and repairing was needed. The three 
mutineers were tried and condemned to be hanged. The sentence 
was commuted to " serve during the war." Captain Barry refused 
their admission on the " Alliance," so they were delivered to a 
recruiting party as soldiers. 



Head of the Navy. 49 



CHAPTER XL 

John Paul Jones Seeks to be " Head of the Navy" in Place 
OF Barry — Barry Takes Lafayette to France, After the 
Surrender of Cornwallis, on " Business of the Utmost 
Importance" — Ordered to take no Prizes — Lands Lafay- 
ette — Returns to America. 

On July 25, 1781, Captain Barry reported to the Board of 
Admiralty that he was " almost recovered" of his wound and in a 
few days would be able for duty, his presence being very requisite 
on account of the scarcity of officers. He made recommendations 
for places. On June 24th Captain James Nicholson had written 
Captain Barry congratulating him upon his success. He related 
in detail the endeavors of Captain John Paul Jones by personal 
application to members of Congress to have himself declared " Head 
of the Navy." He told Barry that his " arrival and success came 
opportunely and I did not fail to make use of it in presence of 
Captain Jones and some of his advocate members by observing that 
you had acquitted yourself well, which they acknowledged. I then 
told them they could not do less than make you an Admiral also. 
I had not a sentence in reply. It irritated Jones so much that he 
was obliged to decamp." This shows that among naval men Barry 
was then regarded as " Head of the Navy" — as he was in fact if 
not by title. 

In 1781 the Admiralty and Navy Boards were abolished by 
Congress and all naval affairs given to the Finance Department, 
supervised by Robert Morris. At this time the " Alliance" and 
the " Deane," frigates, constituted the whole of the effective navy. 
On September 21st Mr. Morris notified Captain Barry that it was 
projected to have the two frigates sent out upon a cruise under 
Barry's command to " disturb the enemy" by taking prizes, and 
neither fixing the cruising ground nor its length of time, knowing 
Barry would take " the most likely course and be anxious to meet 
such events as will do honor to the American flag and promote the 
general interest." He was to transmit at every opportunity reports 
of his operations to Morris and to General Washington any intelli- 
gence which may affect his operations. But, late in October, the 
" Deane" not being manned as soon as the " xA-lliance," Barry was 
directed to proceed to sea as soon as the " Alliance" would be ready. 



50 Takes Lafayette to France. 

But the victory at Yorktown on October 19th, when Cornwalhs 
surrendered his army to the combined French and American forces 
and to the French fleet, caused a change to be made in the move- 
ments of the " AlUance." 

Instead of going out to seek prizes to procure funds to be 
apphed to the support of the small navy, Captain Barry, on Novem- 
ber 21, 1781, was directed to take Lafayette to France " on business 
of the utmost importance to America." So urgent was this mission 
that Barry was directed to take part of the crew of the " Deane," 
place them on the " Alliance" and to take such French seamen as 
the Consul could procure. If still short of men the Governor of 
Massachusetts should be applied to for permission to impress sea- 
men wherever found. Besides Lafayette, his brother-in-law, 
Vicomte de Noailles, General Du Portail. Colonel Gouvion, Major 
La Combe and others were also taken on the " Alliance." 

Morris directed that " the safe and speedy arrival of Marquis 
Lafayette is of such importance that I think it most consistent with 
my duty to restrain you from cruising on the passage. You are, 
therefore, to avoid all vessels and keep in mind as your sole object 
to make a quiet and safe passage to some port in France." 

Regarding stores for the accommodation of the French gentle- 
men, " Let it be done with discretion ; remember we are not rich 
enough to be extravagant nor so poor as to act meanly." If funds 
were needed for a return cruise Barry was advised to " prevail with 
the Marquis to give you credit, but you must remember that all the 
money we have or can get in France will be wanted for other more 
important purpose, therefore, I charge you not to expend one livre 
more than is absolutely necessary." 

The " Alliance" sailed from Boston on December 23, 1781, 
and arrived at L'Orient, on January 18, 1782. During the voyage 
a British ship appeared in sight, " as if she could give them sport," 
as Barry's crew often wishing " Lafayette was in France," stated 
it. Barry's peremptory order to avoid all vessels and take no prizes 
debarred an encounter with the enemy. The crew manifested dis- 
content at avoiding the possible prizes and, relates Kessler. this 
appeared to increase the conflict in Barry's mind between the call 
of duty and his inclination. Instead of reprobating and promptly 
punishing what on other occasions would have been the case, he was 
governed by a sullen silence which, if propriety permitted him to 
break, would have pronounced : " I also wish the Marquis were in 



Cruise of the "Alliance." 51 

France." But duty triumphed then as ever with Barry. As 
speedily as wind and wave and skill could force onward the 
" Alliance" she sped on her mission of the " utmost importance," 
and in twenty-three days Lafayette was in France. 

Barry's instructions permitted him, after his placing Lafayette 
" in France," to cruise in search of prizes until March ist. The 
" Alliance" sailed from L'Orient on February 10, 1782, and returned 
after seventeen days without making any captures, the vessels met 
being neutral ships. 

On March 16, 1782, the " Alliance" sailed from L'Orient for 
return to America and here again disappointment came. All the 
vessels spoken on the voyage " none were of the enemy." On 
May loth the " Alliance" arrived off the Delaware Bay. The 
British frigate " Chatham," of 64 guns, and the " Speedwell," 
sloop-of-war, barred entrance to the river, and off New York two 
more frigates joined in the chase of the " Alliance," but she, having 
a speed of fifteen knots an hour, succeeded in escaping the much 
superior force and getting to New London, Connecticut, on May 
13th. This incident was one of traditionary interest among the 
veterans of the old time wooden navy. 

" Not a prize this trip ! Hard luck indeed," wrote Barry to 
John Brown, Secretary of the Board of Admiralty, to whom also 
he wrote that Robert Morris had sent him orders to join the French 
frigates at Rhode Island and be under their command. " Mr. 
Morris," wrote Barry, " must be unacquainted with his rank or he 
must think me a droll kind of a fellow to be commanded by a mid- 
shipman. I assure you I don't feel myself so low a commander as 
to brook such orders. I suppose he will be much offended. I 
assure you although I serve the country for nothing I am determined 
no midshipman shall command me, let him be a chevalier or what 
he will." 

Barry wrote from New London to Mr. Brown : " I never was 
in such a damn country in my life. You never was in so miserable 
a place in your life. All the people here live five miles from home. 
Not a house have I been in but the tavern and one Irishman's." 
The tavern was kept by Thomas Allen, an Irishman from the island 
of Antigua, whose " antipathy to the British was abnormal" — and 
so we may well believe he was a kindred spirit to that of Commodore 
Barry. 

Though Captain Barry thought he had " hard luck" in not 



52 Again Tzvo Prises. 

taking a prize, yet the log-book of the " Alhance," a copy of which 
he sent the Committee of Investigation, relates that on April 3d he 
fell in with two privateers, gave each of them a broadside, one of 
them struck, the other ran ; hove out a signal for the " Marquis 
La Fayette" to take charge of the privateer that had struck while the 
" Alliance" went in chase of the other, " which we shortly after 
took." The record again shows Captain Barry did as he usually 
had done — captured two vessels in a battle. 

Though he brought in no prize he yet was not unmindful of 
Mrs. Barry, but brought her a carpet and " a wash kettle full of 
claret," and doubtless other luxuries of the time as well as advising 
her " not to stay so much at home," as it " was clever to visit one's 
friends now and then, besides it is helpful to good health," added 
the gallant Captain. 



Nine Prises. 53 



CHAPTER XIL 
A Most Successful Cruise — Nine Prizes. 

The " Alliance" while at New London was fitted out for a 
cruise on which she started August 4, 1782, at four o'clock in the 
morning. Barry had a few days before an interview with General 
Washington. By seven o'clock Barry had captured from the enemy 
a brig laden with lumber and fish which " had been cut out of 
Rhode Island by the enemy." The cruise was first to the Bermudas 
and then to the Banks of New Foundland. 

On August 9th Barry took the schooner " Polly" bound from 
Bermuda to Halifax with a cargo of molasses, sugar and lime and 
sent her to Boston. On August 19th arrived at the Bermudas after 
chasing several vessels, among which was the " Experiment," of 
18 guns, which escaped into St. George's Harbor. On the 23d 
Barry sent Captain Tufts, of the " Polly," to inform the Governor 
that unless all the American prisoners were released he would 
remain for three weeks and hinder vessels going in or coming out 
which, said Barry, he " could effectively do as their whole force 
was not sufficient to cope with the ' Alliance.' " On August 25th 
Barry chased the privateer " Hawk" and took from her the sloop 
" Fortune," which she had captured. The " Hawk" escaped. 

The " Alliance" continued cruising and chasing vessels until 
August 30th, when learning from a brig from Guadeloupe bound 
for Rhode Island, that a large fleet had sailed from Jamaica, Captain 
Barry concluded to attempt to overhaul by running northeast. On 
September 8th he captured a Nantucket brig returning from a 
whaling cruise. It had protection papers from Admiral Digby and 
permission to bring the oil to New York, then in British possession 
as during almost all the war. At this time the " Alliance" was off 
the Banks of New Foundland, where on September i8th the capture 
of a brig, one of the Jamaica fleet, was made. Barry learned that 
the convoy — the " Ramilie," of 74 guns — had foundered in a gale 
and that the fleet he was in search of had scattered. - 

On September 24th Barry took two ships — on 27th he captured 
another. On the following day he captured a dismantled ship and 
all of the fleet from Jamaica he had been in search of and ordered 
them to L'Orient, France, where the " Alliance" with the prizes 
arrived October 17th, and the prisoners, except those who had 



54 Barry's Report of Captures. 

entered into American service, were sent on shore. Most of the 
prisoners belonged at Glasgow where they had families. Otherwise 
these also would have entered under Captain Barry. " The separa- 
tion," records Kessler, " was more like the separation of old friends 
than that of individuals of nations at war." Their treatment on the 
" Alliance" while prisoners was good. The officers were given 
quarters with officers — the privates placed with the privates of the 
" Alliance," enjoying fare alike. No confinement, no abridgment of 
food nor any labor required of them. 

Several officers of the " Ramilie" were captives. The treat- 
ment they received from Captain Barry was so different from the 
usual treatment of American officers by the British commanders, it 
" made them blush for their country," notes Kessler, the Master's 
Mate. The captures numbered three ships, one snow, two brigs, 
one schooner and one sloop, all merchant vessels, variously loaded — 
nine prizes. Four other prizes were brought by the " Alliance" to 
L'Orient and four sent to America. They were sold at auction. 

The shares of the United States as shown by Robert Morris' 
accounts were : 

The " Kingston," 75,834.11.3 livres or $14,083.30. 
The " Commerce," 104.263. 12.5 livres or $19,308.08. 
The " Britannia," 43,620.18.5 livres or $8,077.85. 
The " Anna," 71,656.11.5 livres or $13,269.60. 

The prizes were loaded with rum, sugar, cofifee and liquors. 
One-half the proceeds went to the Government — the other part to 
the captors. A Captain was entitled to six shares. Captain Barry's 
report of the cruise, dated October 18, 1782, reads : " A few hours 
after I sailed from New London I retook a brigantine and sent her 
in there ; proceeded as fast as possible off Bermudas ; on my way 
I took a schooner from that place for Halifax; after cruising off 
there for twelve or fifteen days I retook a sloop from New London 
and sent her to Cape Frangois. Finding the prizes I had taken of 
little value either to myself or the country and in all likelihood 
should be obliged to return into port soon for want of men, was 
determined to alter my cruising ground. I, therefore, thought it 
best to run off the Banks of New Foundland. On my way thither 
I fell in with a whaling brigantine with a pass from Admiral Digby ; 
I manned her and sent her to Boston. A few days after, off the 
Banks of New Foundland, I took a brigantine from Jamaica bound 



More Prizes. 55 

to London loaded with sugar and rum and sent her for Boston ; by 
this vessel I found the Jamaica fleet was to the eastward of us. I 
then carried a press of sail for four days. The fifth day I took two 
ships that had parted with the fleet. After manning them, and a 
fresh gale westwardly, I thought best to order them to France. 
A day or two after I took a snow and a ship belonging to the same 
fleet. 

" Being short of water, and a number of prisoners on board, 
the westwardly winds still blowing fresh and the expectation of 
falling in with some more of them, I thought it best to proceed to 
France, with a determined view to get those I had already taken in 
safe and after landing the prisoners to put out immediately; but 
meeting with blowing weather and high sea, I lost the sails of the 
head and was in great danger of losing the head, which accident 
obliged me to put in here, where I arrived yesterday with the four 
prizes. After repairing the damages and getting what the ships 
may want I shall put to sea on a cruise." 

While at L'Orient, Captain Barry was invited by Lafayette to 
come to Paris, but as he had been '' indisposed with a fever which 
confined him for ten days" and the ship ready to sail, he could not 
accept, but wrote the Marquis he envied the Captain who was to 
take him to America, but as that pleasure could not be his, Barry 
hoped to command the ship that would convey Lafayette back to 
France, when he would visit Paris and " have the honor of seeing 
Lady Fayette," an honor his brother who since was lost at sea had 
had. 



56 Peace Coming. 



CHAPTER XIII. 
Officers of the " Alliance" Refuse to Serve — Peace. 

Though in October Captain Barry hoped in a few days to 
proceed on a cruise it was not until December 8, 1782, that he was 
ready to sail, which he did the next day. Lieutenants Patrick 
Fletcher and Nicholas Gardner, John Buckley, Master; James 
Geagan, Surgeon, and Samuel Cooper, Purser, demanded two- 
thirds of their wages, " though they had received as much prize- 
money as they knew what to do with." Captain Barry informed 
them that he had no authority to pay them and had no money if he 
had. They refused to go on board the " Alliance" and do their 
diity. Accordingly, Captain Barry placed them under arrest until 
tried by Court-Martial in the United States. He was obliged to 
appoint others, " not adequate to the duty of the stations, ' but 
necessity knows no law,' " he wrote Thomas Barclay, Consul- 
General of the United States and Commissioner of the Navy in 
France, who justified Barry's course and concurred in the appoint- 
ments he made. 

All this time there were rumors of peace. On November 30, 
1782, preliminary articles of peace had been signed. On December 
5th King George III announced that he had given the "necessary 
orders to prohibit the further prosecution of offensive war upon the 
Continent of North America." 

Though Captain Barry, early in December, 1782, had " great 
reason to think peace was concluded," he decided to make another 
cruise by " running down the coast of Guinea" and returning to 
America by way of Martinico, believing " should peace be made 
there will be a certain time given for vessels to make prizes in 
certain latitudes." 

The " Alliance" sailed from L'Orient on December 9th, but 
though chasing several vessels, no encounter came about. On 
December i6th arrived at Porto Sancto — the next day the island 
of Madeira. Sailed hence and on January 8, 1783, arrived off 
Martinico. At St. Pierre Harbor Barry found orders for him to 
proceed to Havana to take in specie for Congress. 

On January 12th sailed for Havana and after stopping at 
St. Eustatia and Cape Francois arrived there January 17th. While 
off Hispaniola Barry met an English fleet of seventeen sail, but he 



Cruise of the "Alliance." 57 

" got clear of them." The next day met two British cruisers, one 
of 74 guns. They chased the " AUiance" under the guns of Cape 
Frangois. 

On February 13th Captain Barry notified the Governor of 
Havana that the " Alliance" and " Due de Lauzun," frigates belong- 
ing to Congress, were ready to sail from that port. He requested 
permission for the frigates to depart as he had " despatches from the 
Court of France which are very important," and also desired that 
the American merchant vessels at the port should be permitted to 
depart under convoy of the " Alliance." The Governor replied that, 
complying with secret instructions from the King, it was entirely out 
of his power to grant the permission sought. To which Barry 
replied that it was somewhat singular for ships of war employed 
on national objects to be restricted in the same manner as merchant 
vessels. He then again asked " in the name of my Sovereign for 
permission for the sailing of the two American ships of war." He 
withdrew his request for the trading vessels as they were " fully 
under the influence of the embargo." The Qovernor replied that 
he and the Admiral of the Squadron had consulted and 'decided that 
permission could not be given then. He advised Captain Barry 
" to reflect on the immense prejudice that might occur to the 
common cause of the allied powers and commerce of Spain if any 
unlucky accident should happen by the enemy taking one of the 
frigates." 

On February 22c\, Washington's birthday. Captain Barry issued 
orders " to exercise the great guns and the small arms every day, 
to loose the topsails in order the men could learn to do it well, to 
have wood and water ready for sea." He evidently was having the 
ship ready for service and action though he had brought the news 
of peace to the West India Islands. 



58 The Last Battle of the Revolution. 

CHAPTER XIV. 
The Last Battle of the Revolution. 

Captain Barry's foresight in having everything ready for war^ 
although the preliminary articles of peace had been signed, was 
soon manifested. The " Alliance" left Havana on March 6, 1783,. 
in company with the " Due de Lauzun," commanded by Captain 
Greene. There also sailed nine Spanish warships. Not knowing 
where the Spaniards were bound to, Captain Barry decided to 
make his own way and ordered Captain Greene to follow him. 

The " Alliance" and " Lauzun" had seventy-two thousand 
dollars " of public money on board," which Captain Barry had been 
entrusted with to deliver, by order of Robert Morris, Superintendent 
of Finance, to George Olney, of Providence, R. L, in case he 
arrived in that harbor. The afternoon after leaving Havana two 
British cruisers were seen. Captains Barry and Greene " stood for 
the Spanish fleet," of which some vessels had been seen in the 
morning. He did this as " the only way to save the ' Lauzun,' " as 
that vessel sailed " much heavier" than the " Alliance." At ten 
o'clock at night they got in sight of part of the Spanish fleet. The 
British men-of-war had followed closely and had got within gun- 
shot of the " Alliance" and " Lauzun" when, observing the lights 
of the Spaniards, they abandoned the chase. Barry and Greene 
kept in company with the Spaniards all night — though they found 
in the morning that they were but eight or ten sloops and schooners. 
" However, they answered our ends," reported Captain Barry. 

The British not being in sight and no tidings of them among 
the Spaniards, the Americans " made the best of their way." Find- 
ing the " Lauzun" much slower than the " Alliance," the public 
money on board of her was transferred to the " Alliance." On the 
morning of the 9th " three large sail of ships," British men-of-war, 
were seen " standing directly for us," reported Barry. He signaled 
Greene to follow him, who replied the enemy were of superior force. 
The " Alliance" having the money, Barry believing he could be of 
no service to the " Lauzun," made all sail and ran faster than the 
British could follow. But Barry shortened sail and spoke the 
" Lauzun." By this time one of the British, a 32-gun frigate, was 
within gun-shot of the " Alliance" and the " Lauzun" — the other 
two British cruisers a little way astern and fast coming up to the 



Battle with the " Syhille." 59 

" Lauzun." Captain Greene told Captain Barry the two were 
privateers, but Barry " told him he was mistaken" and that he knew 
better. 

While the " Alliance" dropped astern, the foremost British 
frigate shortened sail and would not come near the " Alliance." 

Later the two British came up fast. Captain Barry, " confident 
within" himself that the " Alliance" " would have fallen a sacrifice" 
if he remained with the " Lauzun," signaled Captain Greene to 
heave his guns overboard so as to get clear of the enemy by lighten- 
ing his ship. By this time one of the British was within gun-shot 
of the " Lauzun." They fired several shots at one another but at 
too great a distance for either to do damage. In the morning a 
strange ship had been seen to the southward, but sailing away from 
the " Alliance." In the afternoon after the " Lauzun" had ex- 
changed shots with the enemy pursuing her, this " strange sail" 
stood for the Americans. Barry had " all the reason in the world 
to suppose she was a stranger to the enemy also," as at that time 
the " Lauzun" was firing " stern chasers" at her pursuer. Barry 
then ran down between the " Lauzun" and the enemy in order to 
give Captain Greene a chance to get off by bringing the enemy into 
action, which Barry did " close on board for forty-five minutes, 
when the enemy sheered off." During the action the " Alliance" 
had ten wounded — one dying later. The " spars and rigging were 
hurt a little but not so much but they would all do again." Captains 
Barry and Greene then sailed towards the strange ship. It proved 
to be a French gun ship of 60 guns, which had sailed from Havana 
two days before Barry and Greene. It had half a million dollars on 
board and was bound to one of the French islands. 

Kessler relates that Captain Barry expected the French gun- 
ship to assist the " Alliance" ; that two of the British kept " at a 
distance as if waiting to ascertain about the French ship." But 
though she " approached the Americans fast," she did not join in 
the encounter. When Captain Barry afterwards " asked them why 
they did not come down during the action, they answered they 
thought they might have been taken, and the signal known; that 
the action was only ' a sham to decoy him.' " 

" His foolish action," records Kessler, " thus, perhaps, lost us 
the three frigates, for Captain Barry commenced the action in the 
full expectation of the French ship joining and thereby not only be 
able to cope but to subdue part, if not the whole of them." 



6o Neither " Saucy" nor " Jack." 

The French proposed to give chase. This was done, but the 
French ship could not keep up with the " Alliance" or the slower 
" Lauzun." This battle took place on March lo, 1783. The British 
frigate was the '* Sybille," commanded by Captain Vashon, which, 
on January 22, 1783, had been captured from the French by the 
British " Hussar," commanded by Captain Thomas Macnamara 
Russell. Captain Vashon " confessed he had never seen a ship so 
ably fought as the ' Alliance,' that he had never received such a 
drubbing and was indebted to his consorts for his escape from 
capture." He always spoke of Captain Barry in the most mag- 
nanimous terms. 

" The coolness and intrepidity no less than the skill and fertility 
in expedients which Captain Barry displayed on this occasion are 
described in naval annals as truly wonderful ; every quality of a 
great commander was brought out with extraordinary brilliancy." 

This is the occasion on which Captain Barry is said to have 
replied to the hail of the British that his was " The United States 
ship 'Alliance,' Saucy Jack Barry, half Irishman, half Yankee! 
Who are you ?" 

I do not believe this true. It is too bombastic to suit the char- 
acter of Captain Barry. He could not have called himself " Saucy," 
for nothing of impetuosity or dare-devilishness was ever manifested 
in his career. Nor did he ever flippantly call himself " Jack." 

" My name is John Barry," was his dignified declaration to 
Lieutenant Gregory, as we have seen. It embodied respect and 
determination and dignity of character which he ever maintained. 

Let not his admirers lessen that dignity. 

This — the last battle of the Revolution — occurred March 10, 
1783, after the signing of the Provisional Articles of Peace at Paris, 
November 30, 1782; after the Preliminary Articles for Restoring 
Peace, signed at Versailles on January 20, 1783, and also after the 
Ratification of the Preliminary Articles on February 3. 1783, by 
the Ministers of the United States, France and Great Britain, by 
which a cessation of hostilities was agreed upon. 

On April 11, 1783, Congress, by Proclamation, ordered the 
" cessation of arms as well by sea as by land." But, one month 
prior, Captain John Barry had the final encounter on the ocean in 
defense of the Liberty and Independence of the United States. He 
had thus commanded the first Continental cruiser, the " Lexington" 
and also commanded the last Continental frigate, the " Alliance" ; 



Peace. 6 1 

bringing to Congress the first prize brought to Philadelphia and 
defending and saving the last Continental war money brought to the 
country on the last armed vessel of the new Nation. He commanded 
the " Lexington," the first vessel commissioned by authority of the 
Continental Congress. He commanded the " Alliance," the best 
vessel the Congress had commissioned and the last in the Conti- 
nental service. He brought Congress its first prize. He brought 
Congress its last war money. 

On March 20, 1783, the " Alliance" arrived at Newport, R. I. 
— rthe last war day, as on the next day the " Triumphe," com- 
manded by Chevalier du Quesne, arrived at Philadelphia with the 
preliminary Treaty of Peace. She had been despatched from Cadiz 
on February nth by D'Estaing, who was ready to sail with sixty 
ships of the line and a very formidable armament, but had given 
up the voyage on the agreement for peace. 

On March 25th — Annunciation Day — Congress ordered the 
recall of all vessels cruising under authority of the United States. 

On April 19, 1783, Washington announced the close of the war 
and the disbandment of the army. 

On April i6th the cessation of hostilities was proclaimed in 
Barry's home city — Philadelphia — to " a vast concourse of people, 
who expressed their satisfaction on the happy occasion by repeated 
shouts. The State flag was hoisted and the bells were rung and a 
general joy diffused itself throughout the city." 

New York City had been under British control nearly the whole 
war. How great the contrast there. " When the proclamation was 
read nothing but groans and hisses prevailed, attended by bitter 
reproaches and curses on their King for having deserted them in 
the midst of their calamities." 

Philadelphia, the seat of the " Rebellion," now by success made 
a " Revolution," was open to the commerce of the world. On May 
2d the ship " Hibernia," Robert Scallan, Master, arrived from 
Dublin and soon, at the store of Clement Biddle his cargo of " gold 
and silver silks, rich and slight brocades, flannels, Mantuas and 
fabrics, colored and sky colored tissue and Florentines, tamboured 
silks and satin, shapes for gentlemen's vests and black Norwich 
capes" were on sale. 

Joy bounded throughout the land. Meetings were held to ex- 
press patriotic sentiments. The men of Northampton, Pa., did so. 
The ladies of Northampton followed the next day. Among the 



62 



Barry the First and the Last. 



" toasts" on the occasion was this : " May the Protestant reHgion 
prevail and flourish through all nations." 

Yet John Barry, an Irish-born Roman Catholic, had battled 
all the eight years — from the first to the last of the fight — to win 
Freedom and Independence for the land in which these Ladies of 
Northampton " hoped the Protestant religion might prevail." 




THE FRIGATE "UNITED STATES' 



Ordered to Amsterdam. 63 



CHAPTER XV. 

Barry Visits the " Sybille" on His Return to Philadelphia — 
Peace is Declared — Ordered to Amsterdam with Tobacco 
— The " Alliance" Becomes Disabled — Is Ordered Sold. 

After Captain Barry had arrived at New London it was nearly 
three months before he came on to Philadelphia. Mrs. Barry had, 
in April, gone on to New London. Captain Barry returned home 
by way of New York. The " Sybille" was there. Captain Barry 
visited her and was " politely treated" by Captain Vashon. The 
vessel yet bore the marks of the injury Barry had inflicted and " they 
said they had not been treated so roughly before," records Kessler. 
Some of the Hessians were embarked on her for return home. As 
she had received " eighteen cannon shots her condition was such 
that pumps had to be manned night and day to keep her from filling 
five to eight feet of water." That proved how she had been shattered 
by Barry. Captain Barry, after a brief visit to Philadelphia, 
returned to Providence Harbor and soon set sail for the Rappa- 
hannock River, Virginia,^ for a cargo of tobacco for Amsterdam, 
Holland, on public account, to pay the interest on loan negotiated 
there. This was in August, 1783. 

On the way down the Providence River the " Alliance," when 
going four or five miles an hour, ran against a sunken rock, 
which " stopped her as quick as thought," related Barry. After 
remaining on the rock two hours and finding the ship made no 
water in consequence of the mishap, the " Alliance" proceeded to 
Virginia where she took on 500 hogsheads of tobacco weighing 
530,000 pounds. 

The Accounts of Robert Morris show that to meet this Holland 
Loan, 1837 hogsheads of tobacco weighing 1,937,355 pounds had 
been sent by Daniel Clarke, Agent of the Finance Department. 

On August 24th the " Alliance" sailed from the Capes of Vir- 
ginia " with good prospects before us and in hopes of a short 
voyage. But," as Captain Barry reported to Robert Morris on the 
26th from the Delaware Bay, " as is often the case when people's 
expectations are buoyed up with great prospects they frequently 
find themselves disappointed." 



64 The "Alliance" Injured. 

" We had not been long out with a moderate breeze, wind and 
smooth sea when we discovered all of a sudden the ship to make 
nineteen inches per hour and soon to have three feet of water in 
her hold and so damaging the tobacco." 

Captain Barry then " made for the Delaware." Though her 
bottom was " perfectly sound when bore down at Providence," 
Barry believed the run on the rock caused the leak. The damage 
to the " Alliance" was serious enough to warrant Congress appoint- 
ing a committee to examine the condition of the ship. On Sep- 
tember on their report Congress ordered the ship " to be unladen 
and her cargo freighted to Europe on the best terms." The Agent 
of Marine was directed to discharge officers and crew, have her 
surveyed and a report made of the expense " necessary to give her 
a good repair." Five hundred hogsheads of the tobacco were re- 
shipped on the " Princess Ulrico" [480 hhds.] and the " Four 
Friends" [20 hhds.]. 

Had the voyage to Amsterdam been made, Barry would have 
stopped at London. Robert Morris gave him a (July 24, 1783) 
letter of introduction to Messrs. Bewickes & Mourgue of that city 
stating that : " He has proved himself a brave and deserving officer 
in the service of his country and a worthy man in every station of 
life." (Crimmin's Autographs.) He also had a letter from John 
Paul Jones to friends in Paris. 

In pursuance of the Act, Robert Morris, Agent of Marine, 
appointed as surveyors Captains John Barry and Thomas Read and 
Messrs. Thomas Penrose, Joshua Humphreys, Jr., and Benjamin G. 
Eyre. The latter were shipbuilders. They estimated the repairs 
would cost 5866 2/S dollars — that it was not necessary to keep the 
" Alliance" for the protection of commerce and it would be to the 
interest of the Union to dispose of her. A resolution to direct the 
Agent of Marine to dispose of her by public auction was adopted 
on June 3, 1785. She was sold on August i, 1785. So Congress 
parted with its last and its best vessel. The new Nation was without 
a ship or flag on the ocean. Captain Barry had the first Continental 
vessel. He commanded the last one. Great must have been his 
satisfaction when given the " Lexington." Sad, indeed, must he 
have been in parting with the " Alliance." 

She was purchased by Coburn & Whitehead for £2287 or $7,700 
in certificates of public credit. They sold to Robert Morris " at a 
great profit." She became a merchant vessel and in June, 1787, 



Sale of the "Alliance." 65 

made a voyage to China, returning September, 1788. She was of 
724 tons— a large ship for those days. After all her perilous voy- 
ages and wonderful escapes from the enemy she was beached on 
Petty's Island in the Delaware River opposite Kensington, Philadel- 
phia. Part of her timbers remained until 1901 and her hulk was 
visible at low tide. The widening of the channel caused the removal 
of what remained of her hulk. Pieces are preserved at the Museum 
of Independence Hall, where it is labeled as having been com- 
manded by John Paul Jones. Another portion is at the American 
Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia. There also may be 
seen the card table and soup tureen of the Commodore, deposited 
by the compiler of this record. 



66 The Federal Constitution. 



CHAPTER XVL 

After the War Barry Secures, the Adoption of the New 
Federal Constitution by Forcing a Quorum of the Assem- 
bly — Is Sued — Goes to China in Command of the " Asia," 
a Merchant Vessel. 

After the sale of the " AlHance," Captain Barry " rested from 
his labors," but yet concerned about many things pertaining to 
his friends and their interests. We find him recommending sub- 
ordinate officers for positions in the merchant service, in petitioning 
Congress that officers of the Navy be put on " a footing similar to 
their brother officers of the land service, as to half-pay or commu- 
tation and lands according to their ranks, as they were the only class 
of officers who remain neglected and totally unprovided for." He 
referred evidently to his own experience when he said, " few of the 
ships belonging to the United States were ever suffered to cruise, 
but were sent on private service and ordered not to go out of their 
way, but to keep clear of all vessels whatever and that such as were 
permitted had particular cruising grounds pointed out to them, 
which frequently ensured them severe blows and but few prizes." 

When in 1787 a Federal convention had been held in Philadel- 
phia to formulate a Constitution by which the States could form " a 
more perfect union" and " promote domestic tranquility," the present 
Constitution of our country was formulated by the convention for 
ratification by the several States. In each State controversy and 
discussion arose over the consideration of the advisability of adopt- 
ing it as the supreme law of the land. 

The Confederation had proven unsuited to the needs of the 
country. So a new plan of government was necessary. On Sep- 
tember 17th, the day the Convention had adopted the Constitution, 
the Pennsylvania members of the Convention at once notified the 
Assembly of the State, then in session at the Hall of Independence, 
that they were ready to report to the Assembly. The next morning 
" the honorable delegates, led by Benjamin Franklin, were ushered 
into the Hall of the Assembly, made their report and presented the 
new Constitution." No action was taken by the Assembly. On 
September 29th, the last day but one of the session, George Clymer 
proposed to refer the Act of Ratification to a Convention of the 
State. Pleas for delay were made. Thomas FitzSimons, a Catholic, 



Barry Forces a Quorum. 67 

one of the Representatives at the Constitutional Convention and 
also a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly, opposed delay in sub- 
mitting the new Constitution to a convention of the citizens for 
adoption or rejection. 

It was resolved to call a State Convention, but no day was 
fixed for its meeting. Nineteen members had voted against calling 
it. On their behalf it was asked that the consideration of the time 
of the meeting of the convention should be postponed until the 
afternoon. This was granted. When the House again met, the 
nineteen were absent. The Assembly lacked a quorum. The 
absentees were sent for, but refused to appear. Mr. Wynkoop 
declared : " If there is no way of compelling those who deserted 
from duty to perform it, then God be merciful to us !" 

There was a way of " compelling" and Captain John Barry led 
the compellers. 

The next morning a number of citizens, whose leader was Com- 
modore John Barry, forcibly entered the lodgings of James McCal- 
mont and Jacob Miley, the members from Franklin and Dauphin 
Counties, dragged them to the State House and thrust them into the 
chamber where the Assembly was in session without a quorum. 
With these two there were forty-six representatives present — a 
quorum. Mr. McCalmont informed the House that he had been 
forcibly brought into the Assembly-room, contrary to his wishes, by 
a number of citizens. He begged he might be allowed to retire. 

Thomas FitzSimons replied that if any member of the House 
had forced the gentleman from the determination to absent himself, 
such member's conduct met the disapprobation of the House. But 
Mr. McCalmont was now here and the business of the State cannot 
be accomplished if any one is suffered to withdraw. 

When Mr. McCalmont attempted to leave he was restrained 
by the citizens who had " dragged" him into the Assembly. The 
House resumed the fixing a time for the Convention to act on the 
Constitution. The date was fixed. The people cheered. Christ 
Church chimes rang and Captain Barry, we may be sure, was happy. 
By his action within twenty-three hours of the adoption of the 
Constitution by the Federal Convention, Pennsylvania had ordered 
a State Convention to consider it. Verses relative to the " dragging" 
were soon published. One extract recited: 

" It seems to me I yet see Barry 
Drag out McCalmont." 



68 Suit Against Barry. 

But McCalmont undertook the " dragging" of Barry into 
Court. On October 13, 1787, he applied to the Supreme Executive 
Council and the Council directed the Attorney-General to com- 
mence a prosecution against " Captain John Barry and such other 
persons as shall be found to have been principally active in seizing 
James McCalmont or otherwise concerned in the riotous pro- 
ceedings." Ben Franklin, President, was one of the eight who voted 
for the resolution. The Attorney-General began suit but at the 
Council meeting, February 16, 1788, he requested the advice of the 
Council " relative to the suit carried on by their order against Cap- 
tain John Barry." The Council informed him it did not wish to 
interfere, but left the matter with him to do as he judged best. 

So nothing more was done about the suit. By this time Cap- 
tain Barry was on the high seas on his way to China in the merchant 
ship " Asia," in which he had sailed on January 7, 1787. It returned 
to Philadelphia, June 4, 1789. So Captain Barry had been away 
over two years. Eight years afterwards, on July 7, 1797, the " Asia," 
commanded by Captain Yard, when returning from Bengal, was 
captured in sight of Cape May, New Jersey, by the Spanish priva- 
teer " Julia," commanded by Don Baptista Mahon, a name indi- 
cating Irish descent. She was valued at $800,000. But the next 
month she was recaptured by an American privateer off Havana. 



Columbia claims her soldier love and Ireland joys to own 
The boy who sailed from his Wexford home undaunted if unknown; 
Columbia guards his latest sleep — hers was his manhood's noon. 
Ireland's the vigorous cradling arms and tender cradle croon ; 
For Ireland paints the dreaming boy on the lonely Wexford shore, 
In 'customed clasp may meet the hands of mother and foster-mother 
Above his grave, who was loyal to each as each unto the other. 

— Margaret M. Halvey. 



Offers His Services Against the Algerines. 69 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Captain Barry Offers His Services to President Washington 
IN Case of War Against the Algerines. 

In 1793 France and England engaged in war, seized each 
other's vessels on the American coast and often within American 
waters. The Algerines were committing depredations on American 
commerce. Hence a naval force was necessary. When Congress 
assembled in December, 1793, the building of frigates early engaged 
attention, not only to protect commerce from the ravages of the 
Algerines but from the aggressions of France as well as from the 
violation of our neutrality by England. 

The United States was without a ship. 

Captain John Barry was prompt to offer his services to his 
country. 

On March 19, 1794, he wrote President Washington: 

" 5"/r;— Finding that the Government have partly determined 
to fit out some ships of war for the protection of our trade against 
the Algerines, I beg leave to offer myself for the command of the 
squadron, conceiving myself to be competent, thereto assuring your 
Excellency that should I be honored with your approbation, my 
utmost abilities and most unremitting attention should be exerted 
for the good of my country and also to approve myself worthy of 
the high honor shown by your Excellency. 

" To your Obedient, Humble Servant, 

" March 19, 1794. f-y 4o 

" His Excellency." ^ ^jh-'r^ /tJ<^U2yc^ ^^ 

A week later, March 27, 1794, Washington signed an Act de- 
claring that " the depredations of the Algerine Corsairs on the com- 
merce of the United States rendered it necessary that a naval force 
should be provided for its protection." 

This Act is the foundation of our present Navy. 

Congress ordered the building and equipment of three frigates 
of forty-four guns and three of lesser weight and tonnage. 

On June 5, 1794, public announcement was made of the 
appointment of six Captains to superintend the construction and 



^o Appointed Captain No. i. 

to take command of the vessels thus ordered. The notice sent to 
Captain Barry read : 

" War Department, June 5, 1794. 
"Sir: — The President of the United States, by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate, has appointed you to be a Captain 
of one of the ships provided, in pursuance of the Act to provide a 
naval armament, herein enclosed. 

" It is understood that the relative rank of the Captains is to be 
in the following order : 

John Barry, 
Samuel Nicholson, 
Silas Talbot, 
Joshua Barney, 
Richard Dale, 
Thomas Truxtun. 
You will please to inform me as soon as convenient whether you 
accept or decline the appointment. 

" I am. Sir, etc., 
" To " Henry Knox, 

Captain Barry." Secretary of War. 

Captain Barry at once accepted, saying: 

" Strawberry Hill, June 6, 1794. 
" The honor done me in appointing me Commander in the Navy 
of the United States is gratefully acknowledged and accepted by. 

Sir, 
Your Most Obedient, 

Humble Servant, 




The original is in the Force Collection in the Lenox Branch of 
the New York Public Library. 

The commission was not signed nor issued by Washington until 
February 22, 1797, when the frigate the " United States." built 
under the superintendency of Barry, was ready for launching at 
Philadelphia. The original commission is in possession of Barry's 
grand-niece, Mrs. W. Horace Hepburn, of Philadelphia. 



Commission Presented. 



71- 



Captain Barney declined appointment because of the rank — the 
fourth — assigned him. Captain James. Sever was appointed but 
given the sixth place. Captain Nicholson, at Boston, on June 14, 
1794, congratulated Captain Barry on his " honorable appointment 
to the Command of our Navy." 

" Captain Barry," says Cooper's History of the Navy, " was the 
only one of the six surviving Captains of the Revolutionary War 
who was not born in America, but he had passed nearly all his life 
in it and was thoroughly identified with his adopted countrymen in 
interest and feeling. He had often distinguished himself during 
the Revolution and, perhaps, of all the naval Captains that remained, 
he was the one who possessed the greatest reputation for experience, 
conduct and skill. His appointment met with general approbation. 
Nor did anything ever occur to give the Government reason to 
regret its selection." 

So the County Wexford Irish Catholic boy had become the 
Commander-in-Chief of the new Navy of the new Constitutional 
United States. Appointed by Washington, "the Father of His 
Country," Barry thus became " the Father of the American Navy," 
in the many distinguished sons of the sea who were trained under 
him. 

His commission reads, "to take rank from the fourth day of 
June, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four." 



There are gallant hearts whose glory- 
Columbia loves to name, 

Whose deeds shall live in story 
And everlasting fame. 

But never yet one braver 
Our starry banner bore 

Than saucy old Jack Barry 
The Irish Commodore. 



— William Collins. 



72 Appointed to the First Frigate. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

Appointed to Superintend the Building of the Frigate, the 
" United States," the First of the New Navy — Goes to 
Georgia to Select Timber for the Four Frigates. 

On April 12, 1794, Joshua Humphreys, of Philadelphia, was 
directed by General Knox, Secretary of War — there was no Depart- 
ment of the Navy until 1798 — to prepare models for the frame of 
the frigates to be built. On June 28th, Humphreys was appointed 
" Constructor or Master-Builder of a 44-gun ship to be built at the 
port of Philadelphia at the rate of $2000 per annum — the compen- 
sation commencing on the ist of May last, in consideration of your 
incessant application to the public interest in adjusting the principles 
of the ships, drawing drafts and making moulds, etc." 

On August 7th, General Knox notified Captain Barry : " You 
are to consider yourself as the Superintendent of the frigate to be 
built at the port of Philadelphia and which is to mount 44 guns." 
This frigate was named the " United States." It was built on the 
Delaware River at the foot of [now] Washington Avenue near the 
old Swedes Church. It was constructed mainly of Georgia live oak, 
"the most durable wood in the world," selected by Captain Barry 
who, in October, 1794, by direction of Tench Coxe, Commissioner 
of the Revenues, proceeded to that State for that purpose, sailing on 
the brig " Schuylkill" which carried oxen and horses which were 
" of the highest importance to the expediting of the timber for the 
several frigates," to which Captain Barry was to give all possible 
exertions " to the cutting and transportation of the timber for his 
own and every other frigate." 

On October 14th the " Schuylkill" arrived at Gashayes Bluff, 
on the island of St. Simon, where he found Mr. John T. Morgan, 
superintendent of cutting the timber, but not " a stick of wood cut." 
Barry sent him " into the country to try and get hands." He got 
six. Barry succeeded in getting ten more. So that on the 20th 
Morgan set the sixteen at work. On the 22d eighty-one wood- 
cutters arrived from New London. They were set to work. Barry 
after " doing all in his power at St. Simon's" went to Savannah to 
charter a vessel — returned to St. Simon's and thence to Philadelphia, 
wherefrom, he, on November loth, reported to Commissioner Coxe. 

On December 12th he presented his bill of expenses for " Voy- 



Cessation of Work on the Frigates. 73 

age to Georgia on Public Account." He had been given $200. His 
expenses amounted to $124.24. So he returned $75.76. 

His salary as Captain of the Navy was $75 a month. 

Captains Barry, Dale and Truxtun on December 18, 1794. wrote 
the Secretary of War that the frigates could be built and equipped 
next year, adding, " It would be highly gratifying to us who have 
thrown aside our former occupations and the prospects that were 
fair for increasing our fortunes, with a view of serving our country, 
and who have no desire of being mere sinecure officers if we could 
at this moment embark and obey the commands of our country, 
in going in pursuit of a barbarous enemy, who now holds in chains 
and slavery so many -of our unfortunate fellow-citizens; the re- 
lieving and restoring of which to the bosom of their families and 
friends are, with that of having an opportunity to chastise their 
cruel oppressors, objects of our greatest ambition and which we 
anticipate with all the ardor of officers, of seamen and of citizens." 

But no haste was made in building the frigates. Temporary 
diplomatic arrangements with France quieted or averted action. 
Our country paid tribute to the Barbary State and sent barrels of 
silver to purchase tolerance on the sea from these pirates as a 
cheaper method of peace than the cost and maintenance of armed 
vessels of war would be. 

By the Act of March 27, 1794, work on the frigates was to 
cease in the event of peace being signed with Algiers. So when on 
December 21, 1795, Washington informed the Senate that the 
Emperor of Morocco had signed a treaty of peace and friendship 
with the United States, work on the frigates was suspended. Wash- 
ington called the attention of Congress to the loss that would come 
if the work ceased, whereupon on April 20, 1796, Congress ordered 
the unexpended balance to be used, but ordered the work to be 
discontinued. Yet President Washington in his message had de- 
clared: "To secure respect for a neutral flag requires a naval force 
organized and ready to vindicate it from insult or aggression. . . . 
Our trade to the Mediterranean, without a protecting force, will 
always be insecure. Will it not then be advisable to begin without 
delay to provide and lay up materials for the building and equipping 
of ships of war and to proceed with the work by degrees, in pro- 
portion as our resources shall render it practicable, without incon- 
venience so that a future war of Europe may not find our com- 
merce in the unprotected state in which it was found by the present." 



74 The Frigate the " United States." 

The cannon for the frigates had been cast at Cecil Furnace. 
Maryland. Captain Barry, on May i6, 1796, was sent there " to see 
the guns and examine whether they were suitable or fit for service." 

The frigate " United States" was progressing rapidly towards 
completion. Captain Barry, on September 19, 1796, estimated the 
cost of fitting out for officers and men at $7285. The vessel when 
completed cost $299,336. She was 175 feet in length, 44 feet beam 
and of 1576 tonnage. She was launched May 10, 1797. 

" In the long list of splendid vessels which in a hundred com- 
bats have maintained the honor of our national flag, the ' United 
States' stands at the head." She served our country well in the 
war with France under Barry; also in the war with England in 
1812-15 and in subsequent duties, peaceful or warlike. 



LINES ON THE DEATH OF COMMODORE BARRY. 

By Michael Fortune. 

Columbia's friend, freed from this worldly coil, 

Now rests (so Heav'n ordains) from human toil; 

A Patriot firm, thro' chequer'd life unblam'd, 

A gallant vet'ran, for his powers fam'd. 

Beneath his guidance, lo ! a Navy springs, 

An infant Navy spreads its canvas wings, 

A rising Nation's weal, to shield, to save, 

And guard her Commerce on the dang'rous wave. 

Whoe'er the Sage, his character shall scan. 
Must trace those Virtues that exalt the man, 
The bold achievement and heroic deed 
To honor's fame, the laurel'd Brave that lead, 
Long for his merits and unsully'd name 
(Dear to his friends and sanctify'd name) ; 
His clay cold relics shall his country mourn. 
And with her tears bedew his hallow'd urn. 

Come, cheering Hope — celestial cherub come — 
Say that his virtues soar beyond the tomb, 
Say that with Mercy in ethereal guise, 
His white-robed spirit climbs yon op'ning skies. 

(Philadelphia, Sept., 1803.) 



First Cruise. 75 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Launch of the " United States" — War with France — Barry 
Commands the American Fleet in the West Indies — Cap- 
tures THE " San Pareil" — Again sent to the West Indies 
— Barry Fires on the French Batteries at Basse Terre — 
To France Again — Death of Our Hero. 

The frigate " United States" though launched in May, 1797, 
was not ready for sea until July, 1798, when, on 3d July, the new 
Secretary of the new Department — the Navy — Hon. Benjamin 
Stoddert, directed Captain Barry " to proceed to sea with the first 
fair wind," and expressing President Adams' " conviction that 
nothing on your part will be wanting to justify the high confidence 
reposed by him and your country in your activity, skill and bravery." 

He was directed to cruise " from Cape Henry to Nantucket," to 
" defend this extent of coast against the depredations of the vessels 
sailing under authority or pretence of authority of the French Re- 
public," and to " afford all possible protection to the vessels of the 
United States coming on or going off the coast," in conjunction 
with Captain Dale. Captain Barry was authorized "to subdue, 
seize and take any armed French vessel which should be found 
within the jurisdictional limits of the United States or elsewhere 
on the high seas, with apparel, guns and appurtenances." On July 
II, 1798, Secretary Stoddert notified Barry that information was 
received that " the French have considerable force in the West 
Indies" and that " it is thought that a small squadron under the 
command of an officer of your intelligence, experience and bravery 
might render essential service and animate your country to enter- 
prise by picking up a number of prizes in the short cruise of these 
islands." 

So Barry was directed to take the " Delaware," Captain Stephen 
Decatur ; the " Herald," Captain Sever, and a revenue cutter of 14 
guns from Boston " and to proceed to the West Indies and so dis- 
pose of the vessels as to afford the greatest chance of falling in 
with French armed vessels," to " look into St. John's, the principal 



76 Captures the " San PareiL" 

harbor of Porto Rico and after two or three days' cruising, return 
to the continent." 

" The object of the enterprise," said the Secretary, " is to do 
as much injury to the armed vessels of France and to make as 
many captures as possible." He closed saying, " It is scarcely 
necessary for me, in writing to a brave man who values his own 
country, its government and its laws, to suggest the usefulness of 
inculcating upon those under his command the propriety of pre- 
serving in their language and conduct the same respect which he 
himself feels for those constitutions and those characters which 
deserve the respect of all. It is time we should establish an 
American character. Let that character be a love of country and a 
jealousy of its honor. This idea comprehends everything that ought 
to be impressed upon the minds of all our citizens, but more espe- 
cially of those citizens who are seamen and soldiers." 

Barry was directed, when at St. John [San Juan], to write the 
Governor requesting that the American seamen who had collected 
there to return to the United States should be permitted to do so, 
but as the United States was at peace with Spain no hostile measures 
were to be taken to obtain them if the civil authorities should not 
produce them. Barry and Decatur sailed northward and off the 
coast of New England. On July 26, 1798, they sailed for the West 
Indies, the revenue cutter not being ready to proceed with them. 
The " United States" and the " Delaware" returned to Philadelphia 
September 21, 1798. Captain Barry had captured the French 
schooner " Le Jaleux," of 14 guns and 70 men and also the " San 
Pareil," of 10 guns and 67 men, belonging to Guadeloupe. The 
" San Pareil," in 1794, captured the vessel on which Charles and 
Catharine, children of Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, were return- 
ing from England. Proceeding to the West Indies the " San 
Pareil" fell in with the " Pallas" bound to the Kennebeck and com- 
pelled her to take the passengers and crew to Boston. [Rowland's 
Carroll II, p. 200.] 

Now Barry had captured the " San Pareil." The crews were 
imprisoned at New Castle, Del., until November 6th, where it was 
alleged, by opponents of the Adams administration, they were 
cruelly treated by being neglected and uncared for. " The govern- 
ment allowed nothing, though it furnished blankets. The French 
Consul had neither funds nor orders to give his countrymen relief." 



Second Cruise. 77 

Secretary Stoddert, then resident at Trenton, New Jersey, because 
of the yellow fever, wrote President Adams, at Quincy, Massachu- 
setts, that " Barry returned too soon. His reason, apprehensions 
from the hurricanes in the West Indies at this season. Upon the 
whole, it is better than to have kept the ships sleeping on our own 
shore, though the result of the enterprise falls very far short of 
my hopes." 

Yet the Secretary had when reporting to the President that 
Barry had been sent to the West Indies " to be employed while the 
French have but little force" and that " the hurricane season" was 
near, had yet " hopes" that neither Barry nor Decatur had been able 
to satisfy. By direction of the President both were, on September 
28, 1798, sent out again — " Decatur to cruise from the Delaware 
to Cape Henry and Barry to cruise from the Delaware along the 
eastern coast northward" — though the Secretary had informed the 
President " it is not to be apprehended that our coasts will be much 
molested by French cruisers," as they had no force in the West 
Indies equal to ours " and it was not probable they could send a 
force from Europe." Barry and Decatur were ordered to return 
about November 15th. Barry on the cruise was "to protect the 
trade from Delaware to New Hampshire, while Decatur did the 
same from New York to the Chesapeake." 

Barry sailed from New Castle on October 8th without " a 
single article for the ship but ballast and," so he wrote Mrs. Barry, 
" my reason for going to sea without these is the European ships 
are expected any day and should any of them be taken and I lying 
in the harbor, the merchants may blame me and no other, although 
it would not be my fault." Barry returned on November 9th 
" totally unexpected," as an " accident had prevented the ' United 
States' from getting to Newport," where the ship had been expected 
to appear. 

On November 29, 1798, Captains Barry, Dale, Truxtun and 
Tingley were directed to report upon " a proper system" for the 
government of the Navy." He had previously recommended the 
establishment of Navy Yards and organization of a Navy Depart- 
ment. The War Department had, previous to 1798, directed all 
naval affairs. At the opening of Congress in December, 1798, 
President Adams, in his Message, declared the law of France, that 
" neutral vessels with British fabrics or produce, although the entire 



78 Fleet Sent to West Indies. 

property belonging to neutrals, were liable to seizure," was an 
" unequivocal act of war on the commerce of the nation it attacks," 
and so " whether we negotiate with her or not, a vigorous prepara- 
tion for war will be alike indispensable." He urged the increase of 
the Nav)^ Congress in February, 1799, added six 74's and six i8's 
to the naval force at a cost of $2,400,000. The naval appropriation 
for 1799 amounted to $4,594,677. 

On December 7, 1798, Captain Barry was placed in " immediate 
command" of the frigates the " United States," the " Constitution," 
the " George Washington," the " Merrimac" with four or five more 
vessels of nearly the same force as the latter (24 guns). The fleet 
was to be employed in the West Indies in active operations for the 
" protection of our commerce and for the capture or destruction of 
French armed vessels from St. Christopher's as far as Barbadoes 
and Tobago," and to " pay considerable attention to Cayenne and 
Curricoa and even to the passage from the United States to 
Laguayra, on the Spanish Main, to which place our citizens carry 
on considerable trade," but above all, Barry was " to relieve our 
commerce from the piccaroons and pirates continually issuing from 
the Island of Guadeloupe." 

Captain Truxtun was assigned " from St. Christopher's to 
Porto Rico," with two or three vessels of 14 and 18 guns. Captain 
Decatur, with one brig of 16 guns, " the vicinity of Havana," and 
Captain Tingley in the " Ganges," " between Cuba and Hispaniola," 
to give security to the trade of Jamaica. 

The expedition was designed " to rid those seas as well of 
French armed vessels as of the pirates which infest them." 

Barry was directed to " proceed as early as possible to Prince 
Rupert's Bay in the Island of Dominica, where the other vessels" of 
his command were ordered to rendezvous and he was to " com- 
mence operations." Under Barry's command on this expedition 
were Charles Stewart, Stephen Decatur, Jacob Jones, all of whom 
became famous in naval annals and obtained the highest positions. 
Barry's training and discipline developed heroes after his death. 
When the squadron reached the West Indies, Barry's command con- 
sisted of the frigate " United States," the " Constitution," Captain 
Samuel Nicholson ; the " George Washington," Captain Patrick 
Fletcher ; the " Merrimac," Captain Moses Brown ; the " Ports- 
mouth," Captain Daniel McNeill ; the " Pickering," Master-Corn- 



operations in the West Indies. 7^ 

tnandant Edward Preble ; the " Eagle," Lieutenant Hugh George 
Campbell ; the " Herald," Lieutenant Charles Russell ; the " Scam- 
mel," Lieutenant J. Adams, and the " Diligence," Lieutenant J. 
Brown. The vessels sailing from Norfolk, Virginia, in company with 
Barry's frigate the " United States" were the " Constellation," of 36 
guns; the "John Adams," the "Congress," the "Little Adams," 
the " Little York," all of 32 guns ; the " Connecticut," the " Boston," 
the " General Green," of 36 guns ; the " Siren" and " Argus," of 
16 guns, and the " Enterprise," 14 guns. All ships " must claim 
your attention as well as your own," directed Secretary Stoddert. 

The " Constellation" " cruised for about three months without 
finding any game," until she captured the " Insurgente," of 50 guns 
and 700 men of whom 350 were killed or wounded. The " Con- 
stellation" met a French, 74, later but the enemy being of superior 
force the " Constellation" " got out of reach." The next day the 
" United States" met the same French vessel and after an exchange 
of a few shots, Captain Barry also thought it advisable to withdraw, 
as his ship had become " dismasted" and had to go to Bermuda for 
repairs, while the " Constitution" was " much disabled in her mast 
and spars." Later Captain Nicholson captured the " Carteret," 
packet " and took her to St. Pierre" and again chased a French 
privateer into a harbor near that port. 

On February 3d, 1799, the " United States," under Barry, gave 
chase to a French privateer. A well-aimed 24-pound shot was 
sufficient to " cut the career of the privateer short," for the ball went 
through her hull so that she quickly began to fill and settle. Captain 
Barry ordered the boats of his frigate to the rescue of the crew. 
Midshipman Stephen Decatur being in the first boat to reach the 
wreck and rescue the crew. " They were plaintively imploring for 
help," wrote an eye-witness, " with earnest gesticulations, not only 
from men but from God and although it is ' true they had abolished 
all religion they had not, it seemed, forgot the old way of invoking 
the protection of the Omnipotent.' " 

The vessel was the " Amour de la Patrie," of 6 guns and 80 
men. All her crew were saved. The " United States" also cap- 
tured the " Tartufe," of 8 guns and 60 men. Desiring to relieve 
himself of his prisoners and hoping to make exchange of Americans 
imprisoned at Guadeloupe, Captain Barry sailed to Basse Terre 
flying a flag of truce, but was fired on by the French batteries. 



8o At Bridgetown Again. 

Hauling down the flag Barry returned the fire and battered the 
walls so effectively that the marks of the American shot were 
visible for many years. The " Merrimac," Captain Moses Brown, 
captured " Le Bonapart le Phenix," 14 guns, 128 men, and " La 
Magiciene," 14 guns, 6^ men. The " Portsmouth" took "La Bona- 
part" (No. 2), "Le Bullante," "Le Tripon" and " Le Bon Pere," 
of 6 guns and 52 men. Seven other captures made by the squadron. 

It is not within the scope of this narration to record the opera- 
tions of the fleet or the exertions of the several commanders of the 
respective vessels composing it, but much that was creditable to 
our naval forces was done though little that could be called brilliant 
or conspicuous, beyond the capture of the " Insurgente" by Trux- 
tun and the " Amour de la Patrie" and " Tartufe" by Barry. The 
main service of the fleet was in protecting our merchant vessels 
and convoying them to safe waters. 

Commodore Barry was not in good health while on this ex- 
pedition. This, the Secretary of the Navy, writing to him, 15th 
March, 1799, chose to " attribute to vexation for not being able to 
fall in with the French" than to the effects of the climate. He had 
the " most entire confidence" that when joined by the other vessels 
Barry would " afford the greatest possible protection to our com- 
merce and punish the depredation on it." 

Barry had been joined by the " Constitution," the " Washing- 
ton" and the " Merrimac" and would later have under his command 
the " Portsmouth," the " Herald," the " Pickering," the " Dili- 
gence," the " Scammel" and the " Eagle." Secretary Stoddert 
notified him. and also that if his health obliged him to return, Cap- 
tain Truxtun would take command of the fleet and of the operations. 

On St. Patrick's Day, 1799, Captain Barry was at Prince 
Rupert's Island. The Hibernian Society of Philadelphia for the 
Relief of Emigrants from Ireland were, the same day, at dinner at 
Shane's Tavern and drank to the toast of 

" Commodore Barry and the New Navy." 

On April 8, 1799, Captain Barry was at Bridgetown, Barba- 
does. For that port he had, as the youthful Captain of the schooner 
" Barbadoes," sailed from Philadelphia on October 2, 1766, almost 
a third of a century previous. What thoughts must have moved 
him we may conjecture at the change in his own circumstances and 



Captures a British Vessel from the French. 8i 

in that of the country of his adoption which had taken place. Then, 
at twenty-one, he was commander of his first vessel, a trading 
schooner of 60 tons. He had since made effective war upon the 
enemy of his native land and of his adopted country. He now 
entered Bridgetown the commander of a squadron of the chief 
armed vessels of his country. During the War for Independence 
he had acted in cooperation with French naval forces, now he was 
protecting the commerce of his country from the depredations of 
the French and inflicting punishment upon such as came in his 
path. He had made war on British naval vessels and taken captive 
many as well as those of England's merchant marine. Now he and 
his country were acting in accord with England in opposition to 
and in restraint of the French. 

Friends had become enemies and enemies had become friendly, 
so much so that a Barbadoes paper, on his arrival there, could de- 
clare : " Whatever good fortune attends Commodore Barry will but 
increase the public esteem which he already possesses, as to see 
merit rewarded is the generous wish of every British bosom." 

What a change ! 

This praise arose from the fact that Barry meeting the French 
privateer " Democrat" took from her the British Letter-of-Marque, 
" Cicero," which had been captured by the " Democrat." The dark- 
ness debarred Barry from capturing the " Democrat" also. The 
" Cicero" was of 450 tons and 50 men. Her Captain and three of 
the crew had been killed and thirty-six wounded. She had been in 
possession of the French for thirty-six hours when retaken by the 
" United States" with the prize crew of thirty taken prisoners. 
These he left at Guadeloupe in French possession. As there were 
no American prisoners there Barry thought it better to do so than 
to have them on the " United States" frigate " to eat more than 
they were worth." 

On April 15, 1799. the Navy. Department recalled the "United 
States," the " Constitution" and the " Washington," " with all 
possible expedition." The other vessels were left in command of 
Captain Truxtun. Barry, in the " United States," arrived at New 
Castle, Delaware, May 9, 1799, and within a month at the opera it 
was sung that " the gallant Barry" was " by all Columbia's sons 
adored." He was then in Philadelphia after leaving Lieutenant 
Charles Stewart in charge of the frigate. Barry was, on 13th May, 



S2 Cruise Along Atlantic Coast. 

directed to discharge the crew whose time expired that or next 
month, so as to give them " an opportunity of spending their money," 
that they might the sooner re-enlist for another year. OfBcers were 
directed " to open rendezvous for recruiting a crew." In the mean- 
time Captain Truxtun had arrived at Norfolk and was received 
with " every mark of respect and attention." Captain James Barron 
was there also, but on June 2d Barry requested his return to Phila- 
delphia as necessity obliged his presence, as the President had 
directed the Secretary of the Navy to send " us as soon as possible 
to protect our defenceless coast." Lieutenant Stewart, almost daily, 
sent reports of the overhauling work going on preparing the frigate 
for a voyage. The French privateers were active along the coast 
harassing the merchantmen, and so audacious as even to enter our 
harbors. 

This made " the public mind very uneasy." So on June 29th 
the frigate sailed under orders to cruise along the coast to Charles- 
ton and after remaining there " long enough to let the citizens 
know" he was " in the vicinity" ; he was to " proceed further south, 
indeed as far as the River St. Mary's," if he could return to Hamp- 
ton Roads by the middle of July, where the " Constitution," Captain 
Talbot, would join the " United States," as it was intended to send 
both to the coasts of France and Spain. This did not come to be, 
however, as it was found necessary to have the vessels in the West 
Indies as soon as they could operate there. 

Barry received " the President's command" that " taking the 
' Constitution' with you, you proceed on a cruise to the Western 
Isles, to Madeira and Teneriffe and thence returning by Cayenne, 
Surinam and the Windward Islands, and reaching Guadeloupe 
about the middle of October where further orders would be handed" 
him. Then both frigates were to proceed to San Domingo and 
enter the port of Cape Frangois. so they might be seen by General 
Touissant with whom and the people he was to " endeavor to culti- 
vate a good understanding." After remaining two or three days 
there he was to return to New York, leaving Captain Talbot in the 
" Constitution" at San Domingo to take command of that station. 
Barry was given leave, however, if time did not permit his going to 
Madeira and Teneriffe as well as the Western Isles, he might pro- 
ceed no further than the Western Isles. 

" The protection of our commerce is the great object of the 
naval armament," said the Secretary, but on July 27th he notified 



Takes Envoys to France. . 83 

Barry, "the projected enterprise to Europe must be given up," the 
frigate " United States" had to " remain on our coast for our pro- 
tection at home." The " Constellation" was to be employed in the 
same way. Barry was to " proceed from Hampton" southward as 
far as St. Mary's River and thence back along the coast and take 
the best chance of falling in with the enemy until about September 
loth. when he was to return to New York if the frigate could pass 
the bar— if not then to proceed to Newport, to which latter he did, 
where he remained until sailing for France. 

" On October 20, 1799, from Newport Harbor, R. I., Captain 
Barry notified the Hon. Jonathan Dayton, of New Jersey, that Owen 
Smith whom he had recommended as a midshipman for frigate 
'United States' had, in many instances, 'behaved himself in a manner 
very unbecoming a gentleman, and as I conceive it my indispensable 
duty to prevent every person of bad conduct from getting a footing 
in the infant navy, I have, at his own request, discharged him. Your 
nephew, Mr. Williamson, has been too tenderly brought up to follow 
sea life; I think his father had better seek some other mode of 
hfe for him.'" (Crimmins' MS.) 

The cruise ordered took six weeks, but no record of captures 
appears. The coast had been protected. That was the end to be 
obtained— not captures — as a formal declaration of war had not 
been made by either the United States or France. Though com- 
monly called "the War with France" because of actual hostilities 
having taken place, officially, war did not exist between the two 
countries. It is not necessary for our purpose to detail the political 
course of the two nations with respect to the difficulties between 
them, but when negotiations had so far progressed that special 
Commissioners or Ministers were to proceed to France with a view 
of arranging a treaty, Captain Barry was, on October 16, 1799, 
notified that "the President has decided that the 'United States' 
shall carry our envoys to Europe and you will hold yourself in 
readiness to perform that service by the first of November at the 
farthest." 

The envoys were Chief Justice O. Ellsworth, R. W. Davis, ex- 
Governor of North Carolina, and W. V. Murray, U. S. Minister at 
The Hague—" Envoys Extraordinary to the French Republic." 

Captain Barry had orders to land them at any part of France 
they preferred and to touch at any ports they desired. Captain 



84 Another Cruise in West Indies. 

Barry was indeed on an old service. He had carried Colonel John 
Laurens and Lafayette to France to seek aid for America. Now he 
carried American envoys to demand justice for American commerce 
and the cessation of hostile measures against its freedom. 

The mission President Adams declared was sent at one of the 
" most critical, important and interesting moments that ever occur- 
red" in American history. Again was Barry given the old order 
so often given him dviring his Revolutionary career : " You will 
not capture anything on the voyage. This is a mortification to 
which it is necessary that you should submit. I hope to salute you 
an Admiral on your arrival at Philadelphia." 

Captain Barry performed the duty assigned him and landed the 
envoys in France. After long negotiations a Treaty of Peace, Com- 
merce and Navigation was agreed to September 30, 1800, with the 
First Consul Bonaparte. It was ratified by the U. S. Senate Feb- 
ruary 3, 1801, by the French July 31, 1801, and proclaimed Decem- 
ber 31, 1801. 

Washington died December 14, 1799. On the 20th Captain 
Barry received from the Navy Department a General Order of 
President Adams that all vessels should be " put in mourning one 
week by wearing their colors at half-mast high." The officers to 
" wear crape on the left arm below the elbow for six months." 

During the year 1800 the " United States" frigate was not in 
active duty — the trouble with France having ceased, other occasions 
for her services did not arise. Lieutenant Mullowney was promoted 
to the command of the " Ganges" and thirty-five of the seamen of 
the " United States" transferred with him. 

On July 16, 1800, Lieutenant Charles Stewart was given com- 
mand of the " Experiment," Captain Barry expressing the hope 
that " he will be more active than he was," a hope which was justi- 
fied in his subsequent career. At this time Barry's vessel was under- 
going repairs. He wrote the Secretary, " she will not be out of the 
carpenter's hands until October." When she was ready for sea, 
Barry was directed " to proceed to St. Kitts and assume command 
of your squadron on the Guadeloupe station, taking under your 
convoy any merchant vessels ready to proceed for the Windward 
Islands ; you have to protect our commerce to all the Islands and 
to guard our merchant vessels against all depredations from Porto 
Rico as well as from Guadeloupe and other dependencies of France." 



Called Home. 85 

Later the Treaty of September 30, 1800, arrived, when Barry was 
directed to " treat the armed vessels of France, pubHc and private, 
exactly as you find they treat our trading vessels." 

Up to that time seventy-four French vessels had been taken 
and more than eighty had been retaken from the French. This was 
regarded as ample proof of the value of a Navy and made its advo- 
cates so jubilant that "What think ye of the Navy now?" was 
tauntingly asked of its former opponents. 

So again Captain Barry's services as Head of the Navy were 
conspicuous and useful. But th^ Federalists, the party of Wash- 
ington, of Adams and of Barry, were defeated by the election by the 
House of Representatives of Thomas Jefferson. 

Reform and Retrenchment were the chief policies of his admin- 
istration. With the measures against France, Jefferson's Republi- 
cans had had no sympathy. Their antipathy to Great Britain and 
their fury against Jay's Treaty were terrific. The new Congress of 
Jefferson ordered the cessation of work on the 74-gun ships, for 
which timber had already been collected. Only a quarter of a 
million of dollars was appropriated for naval expenditures. All 
but thirteen of the ships were sold. The new Navy established by 
the Act of 1794 was, within seven years, almost non-existent and 
would have been wholly so if the policy of the Jefferson Republicans 
had been fully carried out. Though that practically came to pass 
by the " laying up" of all vessels. 

Jefferson was inaugurated March 4, 1801. On the 23d of that 
month Captain Barry was notified to " call home all the ships in the 
West Indies. You are to make the best of your way to Philadelphia." 

At the end of April the frigate " United States" was in the 
Delaware River and, on May ist, the new Secretary of the Navy, 
General Dearborn, instructed Barry to bring the " United States" 
to Washington, " where it is intended she shall be laid up." There 
were now Navy yards at Portsmouth, N. H. ; Charlestown, Phila- 
delphia, Norfolk and Washington, in accordance with the advice 
Captain Barry had given in 1798 that such should be established 
and a Navy Department created. 

Captain Barry sailed the frigate to Washington and on May 
23d reported his arrival in the Potomac, " though his friends had 
declared that the President was not aware of the difficulties that 
would be met in getting the frigate there," as Mrs. Barry wrote the 
Captain the day he had arrived near Washington. 



86 Failing Health. 

The first frigate of the New Navy was " laid up" — was at rest — 
had ceased operations, not because its usefulness was at an end and 
it might no more be serviceable, nor would there be occasion for 
her power as a protector of American commerce, but because the 
political policy of the Party in power did not sanction the possession 
of a Navy. 

So having fulfilled its mission and its commander having obeyed 
instructions and brought the first born of the new Navy to the new 
Capital of the new nation he was, on June 6, 1801, notified: 

" You have permission to retire to your place of residence and 
there remain until the government again requires your services." 

The frigate " United States" served our country well in the 
War with France, in the War with Great Britain, 1812-15, and in 
subsequent duties, warlike and peaceful, until the War between the 
States, 1861-65, when while laid up " in ordinary" at the Norfolk 
Navy Yard she was, by the Confederates, sunk to obstruct the 
channel. After the war she was raised and in January, 1866, broken 
up, though Commodore Hitchcock endeavored to have her pre- 
served, saying " if her value were only measured by dollars it may 
be unwise to attempt her preservation, but ideas and sentiments 
cannot be judged by such a standard. What is the use of being 
rich and great and powerful if we cannot afford to indulge becoming 
sentiments and cherish the memory of the bright deeds of our 
history." But she was broken up. All that remains as visible 
objects of her are two of her guns on the exhibition grounds of the 
Navy Yard at Portsmouth, Va. 

The Navy was, on June 11, 1801, by President Jefferson, put 
on " a peace establishment." Of the Captains nine were retained, 
of Lieutenants thirty-six and of Midshipmen one hundred and fifty. 
Captain Barry was " one of those retained," he was notified. Half- 
pay was allowed from July i, 1801. 

Captain Barry's health was now failing. On returning to Phila- 
delphia he was, in November, 1801, engaged in proving guns cast 
by Mr. Lane. The next year when directed to prove cannon at 
Colonel Hughes' works near Havre-de-Grace, Maryland, Barry's 
health did not permit him to go. On August 19, 1802, Barry, Dale 
and Bainbridge were appointed a Board to examine applicants for 
admission to the Navy — the Barbary Powers were again giving 
trouble to our merchant traders and imprisoning American seamen, 



Death. 87 

and an idea that a more vigorous navy v^as needed and that paying 
tribute in money was degrading was gaining headway even among 
the RepubHcans. So that on December 22, 180?, the Secretary of 
the Navy notified Captain Barry, " We shall have occasion to keep 
a small force in the Mediterranean and we shall expect your services 
on that station." But the old Warrior-Sailor was nearing another 
Station. Ill health was enfeebling him, destroying his wonted 
activity. The flame of the fire of his ardor to serve his country was 
flickering so much as to remind him that death might be nearing. 

So on February 27, 1803, he made his will. During the sum- 
mer at his country residence at Strawberry Hill in the Northern 
Liberties he remain incapacitated for any further sea or other ser- 
vices useful to the country, or beneficial to mankind in general. He 
died September 13, 1803, and was buried from his City home on 
Chestnut Street below Tenth, south side, then No. 186. He was 
interred at St. Mary's graveyard the next morning, according to 
the custom of those days. St. Mary's was the church where Com- 
modore Barry " was a constant attendant when in the City," as 
Bishop Kenrick wrote Colonel B. U. Campbell, of Ellicott Mills, 
January 15, 1844. [Balto. Archives, C. D. 14.] His estate 
amounted to $27,691. He is buried within a few feet of the entrance 
to the graveyard in the rear of the church. In the grave with him 
his two wives are interred — Mary died in 1771, Sarah in 1831. 

Beside him northward lies his friend Captain John Rosseter, 
also of the County of Wexford, Ireland. 

At the head of his grave to the northward is interred Captain 
Thomas FitzSimons, a signer of the Constitution of the United 
States, an officer in the Revolution, a merchant of Philadelphia and 
Representative in Congress. 

Also at the head of Barry's grave, southward, lies the mortal 
remains of George Meade, a patriot of the Revolution and a mer- 
chant of Philadelphia. 

This is the most Catholic Irish-American historical plot of 
ground in the United States. 

Three of these patriots were born in Ireland— George Meade, 
born in Philadelphia of Irish parents. 

Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence, wrote the first draft of the epitaph for the tomb of Captain 
Barry. It read: 



88 The Original Epitaph. 

CJ'Kv V-iat^ /^jc^e. y^yt-a-tt^ Ltr-px-^ /y^/A!c^ oO^et^c^ ^ 
A^ P^ ^lA^^ir^U'^ Vv~<^ry Lu a,^ ur/i^i^ i^£a. i^/>-^ /^^^ ^^ic 

«^. Y r/e^ Jl-^.^^'f^ t^'rfet^ '^i**^ ^^-vi<-t^ ^^*.<C ui'^'f^iia JfrintMH/ -r 

t ^ /6-*«.^n«A»v bty^&j /Xy^ ^*f<t-<f l^fl>i^-L^^ Ur-fCl.t-^ fu-l^ fiC.C<yil:<£^ 




The Original Epitaph. 89 

Let the Patriot, the Soldier and the Christian 

WHO visits these mansions of the dead 

VIEW this monument with respect 

Beneath it are interred the remains of 

JOHN BARRY 

He was born in the County of Wexford in Ireland 
But America was the object of his patriotism 

AND THE theatre OF HIS USEFULNESS. 

In the Revolutionary War which established the 

Independence of the United States he 

bore an early and an active part as a Captain in their 

Navy and after became its Commander-in-Chief. 
He fought often and once bled in the Cause of Freedom. 

His habits of war did not lessen his 
Virtues as a Man nor his piety as a Christian. 

He was gentle, kind and just in private life, 

was not less beloved by his family and friends than by 

his Grateful Country. 

The number and objects of his charities will be 
known only at that time when his dust 

SHALL BE REANIMATED AND WHEN He WHO SEES IN SECRET 

shall reward openly. 

In the full belief in the doctrines of the Gospel 
he peacefully resigned his soul into the arms of his 

Redeemer 
ON the 13TH OF September, 1803, in the 59TH year of his age. 

His affectionate widow hath caused this marble to be 

erected to perpetuate his name after the hearts of his 

fellow-citizens have ceased to be 

THE LIVING Record of his Public and Private Virtues. 

As cut on the tombstone after revision the epitaph was sub- 
stantially the same. " Interred" was changed to " deposited" ; 
" theatre" was stricken out and " aim" inserted and " honor" added 
after " usefulness" ; " became" was changed to " was" ; " Virtues as 
a Man" was made to read " the power of the virtues which adorn 




'd 9 



Epitaphs. 01 

private life"; " charitable" was added after " just" and the sentence 
relating to the number and objects of his charities stricken out; 
" in the 59th year of his age" was omitted. 

In 1876, the original tomb having fallen into decay, a new 
tomb — the present one — was erected by contributions of the mem- 
bers of St. Mary's Church. The epitaph having become illegible the 
compiler of this record supplied a copy of the epitaph as it had been 
cut on the first stone. But Rev. Wm. F. Martin, the Pastor of the 
church, had the epitaph cut so as to read, and now may be seen, as 
follows : 

Sacred to the memory of Commodore John Barry, Father of 

THE American Navy. 

Let the Christian, Patriot and soldier who visits these 

mansions of the dead view this monument with respect 

AND veneration. 

Beneath it rests the remains of John Barry, who was 

born in the County Wexford, Ireland, in the year 1745. 

America was the object of his patriotism and the aim of 

HIS usefulness and ambition. 

At the beginning of the Revolutionary War he held the 

commission of Captain in the then limited Navy of the 

Colonies. 

His achievements in battle and his renowned naval tactics 

merited for him the position of Commodore and to be 

justly regarded as the Father of the American Navy. 

He fought often and bled in the Cause of Freedom, but 

his deeds of valor did not diminish in him the virtues 

which adorn his private life. 

He was eminently gentle, kind, just and charitable and 

no less beloved by his family and friends than by his 

grateful country. 

Firm in the faith and practices of the Roman Catholic 

Church, he departed this life on the 13TH day of 

September in the 59TH year of his age. 

In grateful remembrance, a few of' his countrymen, members 

OF St. Mary's Church and Others have contributed 

towards this second monument, erected July ist, 1876. 

Requiescat in pace. 



92 



The T. A. B. Statue. 




STATUE OF COMMODORE BARRY, FAIRMOUNT PARK, PHILADELPHIA 



The Statue in Fairmount Park. 93 

In the Centennial year, 1876, the Catholic Total Abstinence 
Union of America erected in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, at the 
foot of George's Hill, a fountain costing $55,000. One of its five 
statues of heroic size is that of Commodore John Barry. The sides 
of the base contain inscriptions as follows : 

On the east: 

John Barry, 
First Commodore 

OF THE 

United States Navy. 

Born in 1745 

IN Wexford County, Ireland. 

Died September 13TH, 1803. 

at Philadelphia. 

On the west : 

During the Revolutionary War he distinguished 

himself greatly. He filled the various 

commands entrusted to him with skill 

and gallantry. When unable to fight 

on the ocean he obtained command of a 

Company of Volunteers 

AND fought against THE 

enemy on land. 

Among his exploits was the capture, upon 

May 29TH, 1781, OF two English vessels, 

the Atalanta and Trepasa, after a 

hotly contested action with his own 

SHIP, THE Alliance. 

On the north : 

In January, 1776, he commanded 

THE BRIG Lexington, the first regular 

cruiser that got to sea under the authority 

OF THE Continental Congress and the vessel 

that first carried the American flag 

upon the ocean. 

On March 18, 1895, the Hibernian Society for the Relief of 
Emigrants from Ireland, now the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, pre- 



94 



The Friendlv Sons Monument. 




STATUE OF COMMODORE BARRY, INDEPENDENCE SQUARE, PHILADELPHIA 



Monuments. 95 

sented the City of Philadelphia a copy, by Colon Campbell Cooper, 
of Gilbert Stuart's portrait of Commodore Barry, to be placed in 
Independence Hall. Hon. Edwin Stuart, President of the Society 
and Mayor of the City and now [1908] Governor of Pennsylvania, 
presided and accepted the portrait on its presentation by General 
St. Clair Mulholland, who declared Commodore Barry to have been 
" one of the most illustrious of Ireland's sons, a brilliant child of 
the wind and waves, a heroic warrior of the sea who never knew 
defeat, the Father and Founder of the Navy of the United States. 
The Navy that from the beginning has been the admiration and 
model of all the nations of the earth." 

On March 22, 1902, the torpedo boat destroyer the " Barry" 
was launched at the Neafie & Levy's shipyard. It was " christened" 
by Miss Elizabeth Adams Barnes, the great-great-grandniece of 
Commodore Barry and daughter of Captain John S. Barnes, U. S. 
Navy, retired, of New York City. 

In July, 1902, Hon. M. E. Driscoll, of Syracuse, New York, 
proposed a Bill in the National House of Representatives appro- 
priating fifty thousand dollars " to erect in Washington a monu- 
ment inscribed 

"JOHN BARRY 
" The Father of the American Navy." 

At that and the next Sessions of Congress the Bill did not, in 
either Session, pass both Houses, but in the Session of 1906 it 
passed and was signed by President Roosevelt. 

A site near the new Union Depot has been selected and, after 
the delay, usual in all governmental monumental projects, the monu- 
ment will stand in a most conspicuous location in the Capital of the 
Nation. 

On March 16, 1907, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Phila- 
delphia presented to the City of Philadelphia the bronze statue of 
Commodore Barry which now stands in Independence Square. It 
cost $10,500: was designed and executed by Samuel Murray, 
sculptor, of Philadelphia. General St. Clair Mulholland, on behalf 
of the Committee, presented the statue to the Friendly Sons of 
St. Patrick. Rear Admiral Melville, U. S. Navy, retired, presented 
it to the City. It was accepted by Hon. John Weaver, Mayor of the 
City, who had signed the Bill passed by the City Council, permitting 
the erection of the statue in the Square. 



MAR 19 1908 



'It ^ .iV 











